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"ALL KINDS" OF 

GEMS OF PROSE 
AND VERSE 



BY 
W. H. HOUSLEY 

A FARMER 




BROADWAY PUBLISHING CO. 

836 Broadwayy New York 

BRANCH OFFICES: CHICAGO, WASHINGTON. BALTIMORl. 
ATLANTA. NORFOLK. FLORENCE. ALA. 



c,?? 



Copyright, 19 io, 

By 

W. H. HOUSLEY, 

A FARMER. 



CCIA2?S510 



Introductory 

This book may not be so complete as to sat- 
isfy all of the elite, yet it is intended for every 
one who buys it. It is plain language and a 
child can understand its meaning. There is 
some fiction in it, but a very reliable kind. 
The subjects are numerous and varied, while 
the writer is not an educated man, he is a 
close observer of things. I hope all who read 
it, may do so with pleasure and profit. This is 
my own language, without submitting it to 
any one or anything. 

When a man reads what other people say, 
Let him bring his own mind into play. 
The reading public of this present age 
Wants a change on every page. 

Not much difference these days what a man 

thinks. 
It's like playing the game of Tiddle-de-winks, 
But let a man think just what he thinkest, 
And let a man drink just what he drinkest, 
And then attend to his own business. 
Respectfully, your humble servant, 

W. H. HOUSLEY, 



GEMS OF PROSE AND VERSE 

by 

W. H. HOUSLEY. 

A Farmer. 



^^ALL KINDS*' OF 
GEMS OF PROSE AND VERSE 

THE APPALACHIAN EXPOSITION. 

Knoxville a great city, the finest in the State, 
And the Appalachian Exposition will be up to 

date, 
And this will better our country's condition, 
I say hurrah for the great Exposition. 

Mr. Helm at the helm, and Mr. Oliver too ; 
There is no telling what this Exposition will 

do. 
'Twill open up a country that's great and 

grand, 
Many houses be built in Appalachian land. 

Stock and grass and grand mountain views; 
Seasons of rain, sunshine and dews, 
Hills and valleys, rivers and rills, 
And health so fine, no fever nor chills. 

Mr. Oliver and Helm didn't do this alone. 
But you see they were the great backbone ; 

[5] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Other good men helped lay the plan, 
And now we all see it even to a man. 

But the time will come they can all sit down 

and rest 
And say to our country we have done our best. 
And now just think what will be done soon 
And then think back to the time of Daniel 

Boone. 



OLD USED-TO-BE'S AND NOW. 

This used to be a country where the buffalo 

run, 
And the old Red Indian with his flint-lock 

gun. 
The white man came and the Indian went 

away 
And it looks now like the white man will stay. 

The country was in timber, there was no plain, 
No buildings, no towns, no shelter from the 

rain, 
The forest was heavy, the undergrowth thick. 
No timber was cut, no, not one stick. 

And snakes in the huckleberry bushes did 

play. 
And the hootowl hooted in the middle of the 

day, 

l[6]i 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But now the train stops and gives a toot, 
In the very same place w^here the owl did 
hoot. 

But times have changed as we travel on, 
Our wild deer and turkey are about all gone, 
But while they are gone, we have something 

better. 
The double-barrel shot-gun, the Pointer and 

Setter. 

Coal and minerals everywhere is found, 
We know now for certain the world is round. 
The old Indian path called the Indian trail, 
We now go over on a solid iron rail. 

Our progression is fast toward the poles. 

We are boring our hills and mountains full of 

holes. 
In going to Cincinnati and traveling around, 
A good many miles we ride underground. 

All kinds of improvements on every hand. 
Smoke from our factories covers the land, 
The noise and roar in the railroad shops. 
Through the day and night, it never stops. 

Everything that is made under the sun, 
Is perfect and true and automatically done. 
Printing, typesetting is done with a machine, 
A boy can attend to it if ever so green. 

[7] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now you wouldn't think, I don't suppose, 
But they have a machine to patch your clothes. 
These things are true, and as time goes on, 
Not everyone can see where we have gone. 

Gasoline stoves and hotel elevators, 
Machines to make bread and dig potatoes. 
They have what's called the Kemp manure 

spreader. 
The Dixie pea huller and the Deering corn 

shredder. 

Machines for working butter and for making 

fence. 
They save lots of labor and lessen the expense, 
They save much money and much hard labor. 
With them also you can assist your neighbor. 

All these improvements have come to stay. 
We are just in our infancy, now, to-day. 
There is a good deal more that I could tell, 
But the curtain has fallen and broken my 
spell. 



OLD TIME WEAVING. 

'Tis a little hard now for some to believe, 
That the old-time folks had a time to weave. 
The thread was to size, to warp and to spool, 
All this was done in time for the school. 

[8] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The web tied in and the loom ready to start, 
And the weaver is one of them that is smart. 
Her foot on the treadle, the shuttle in her 

hand. 
It goes back and forth, she looks so grand. 

And to tell you how old folks used to do. 
She'd weave all day and mind the baby too. 
But she was a weaver and also a spinner, 
When a woman done this she had sand in her. 

Would weave all day and part of the night, 
The way the old folks worked was a perfect 

sight. 
And the young had work as well as the old, 
Had no time to fool, they done what was told. 

But the old folks now are so foolish and crazy. 
Are raising their children no account and lazy. 
Would you like to have a woman for a wife. 
That couldn't fry a chicken, bake bread, to 
save her life? 

I knew a man once who had such a wife. 
The most he had to eat was his fork and knife. 
But he said she was a lady and pretty and 

sweet. 
And should stay that way as long as she could 

eat. 

But I have lost my subject on the gentle sex, 
And me so old, I have to wear specks. 

[9] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

So I'd better finish on the weaving and loom, 
As I have paper and a little more room. 

I've heard some of the best weavers say, 
They could weave from six to ten yards a day, 
I never did know how much one could do, 
My wife has woven ten, and got dinner too. 

But of course my wife could do a little more, 

Than anyone else I ever saw before, 

She could spin and weave and set a pot of 

blue. 
There was no kind of work but what she could 

do. 

But times have changed and everything is 

new, 
And wives and husbands are not so true. 
Divorces and fusses and a perfect brawl. 
And the devil and the Fashion's the cause of 

it all. 



OLD TIME TRAVELING AND NOW. 

Many people living now don't know 
How we used to travel a long time ago. 
We traveled then in a coach called the stage, 
But I tell you, now, we are past that age. 

This stage coach run by a six-horse team, 
It has been so long it seems like a dream. 

[10] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The driver his little tin horn would blow, 
And places on the road to change horses you 
know. 

If a man wanted goods to put up a store, 
He would get on the stage and away to Balti- 
more. 
It took four or five weeks to go and to come. 
But the difference now is a right smart sum. 

This old stage coach carried the mail, 

And the people they thought the thing did sail. 

To make a comparison I could not fail. 

Just think of our Pullman slipping on the rail. 

Stage time has gone like a shooting star, 

And now we ride in a fine palace car. 

The stage coach traveled six to eight miles an 

hour. 
We now go a hundred, we have such a power. 

We have buggies and carriages without num- 
ber. 
And thousands of wagons hauling out lumber. 
I can't name all in the vehicle line. 
But the taxicabs and surreys are fine. 

The automobile is a fine finished car. 
And will go over rough roads without a jar. 
You can go so fast as to leave the ground. 
But I cannot promise you to be safe and 
sound. 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Street cars are numerous in all our towns, 
And carry humanity many thousands of 

pounds. 
The things we ride in are wonderful and many, 
At times you can ride a mile for a penny. 

Such strides as these in the way of transpor- 
tation, 
It beats Old Nick, Tom Walker, and Creation, 
And where we will be fifty years from to-day, 
The Lord only knows, for I can't stay. 



OLD TIME HARVESTING AND NOW. 

The difference in the harvester and the old- 
time sickle, 
Is like a ten dollar bill by the side of a nickel, 
When the scythe and cradle came into play. 
Then our harvest people saw a little better 
day. 

But in using the cradle we would puff and 

sweat, 
And when the day was gone we were tired you 

bet. 
Also the binders were worn out too. 
But this was the best we then could do. 

Now the scythe and cradle has gone by the 

board. 
And in the old houses many are stored. 

[12] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But before I am done, 'tis my intention. 
To tell you about the latest invention. 

Our first Harvester was much like the mower, 

In cutting the wheat it fell on a floor, 

A paddle came around and would rake it in a 

pile, 
And the man who was binding, it made him 

smile. 

'Twas raked in a pile and dropped on the 

ground, 
But you had to hire hands before you got it 

bound. 
But the Deering Harvester almost runs itself. 
It cuts and binds the wheat and lays it on a 

shelf. 

When it gets enough bundles for a half shock. 
The reel comes round and gives them a knock. 
It works like a man with good common sense. 
And does all this work at the very same ex- 
pense. 

You drive in the field, sit up there and ride. 
The machine being run with three horses by 

side. 
It saves time and labor, 'tis easy on your 

stock, 
[The wind and rain comes, your wheat is in the 

shock. 

[13] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

The wheat Is never scattered and lying loose 

around, 
Almost every head is taken up and bound, 
And when you go to thresh, the bundles they 

are fine. 
All you want then is a man to cut the twine. 

If I was a farmer I'd make up my mind, 

To buy a Deering Harvester, I'd have no other 
kind, 

Now, if you can find one that will do any bet- 
ter, 

I'll give you a brass monkey in a registered 
letter. 

Out in the West they have a large yield. 
They take off the head, leave the straw in the 

field. 
There is so much difference in the old time and 

now, 
That a man can't tell it, for he don't know 

how. 



OLD TIME WHEAT THRESHING AND 
NOW. 

In the Old Timie times we would thresh our 

wheat, 
Spread it on a floor and tramp with horses 

feet, 

[14] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Then we would take the fork and the rake, 
Rake it in a pile and the straw we'd shake. 

The way we would clean it, 'twould make a 

fellow laugh, 
Take a sheet from the bed and blow away the 

chaff. 
Sometimes we would wait till a very windy 

day. 
Then let the wheat fall and the chaff blow 

away. 

While I am at it, I'll tell the whole tale, 
Another way we threshed was done with a 

flail, 
Still we had to use a sheet for a fan. 
And the thing was run by a boy and a man. 

Now this is the way our grandfathers done, 
I remember it well, I am the oldest grandson, 
Yes, I remember those old timie times. 
That's the reason now I am writing these 
rhymes. 

Then come the ground hog machine run by 
horsepower. 

'Twould thresh from ten to twenty bushels an 
hour. 

But the wheat and chaff was piled up to- 
gether. 

And in cleaning it up, it depended on the 
weather. 

lis] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

'Twas not very long but sometime later, 
They made a machine that had a separator, 
Then you could thresh, clean wheat and go to 

mill^ 
Come home, bake bread, and the sun a shining 

still. 

'Twould separate the straw and blow away the 

chaff. 
We had straw for the cow and chaff for the 

calf, 
'Twas run by steam, they didn't have to stop, 
Only when they moved to thresh another crop. 

The improvements now just can't be beat, 
They take out the cockle, all trash and cheat, 
And does the work so nice and neat. 
It don't leave a thing but the pure clean 
wheat. 



OLD TIME LIGHT AND NOW. 

Our first light, the Pinetorch, but it didn't 

stay. 
The tallow dip candle came and took it away. 
We then struck gas, had it for light. 
It made people wonder, 'twas a great sight. 

If we were in the dark and couldn't see to 

pass, 
We would just reach up and turn on the gas, 
[i6] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

It must be turned off when you get in bed, 
If you blow it out before morning you are 
dead. 

But gas light now is going out of date, 
And it has sealed many people's fate, 
But all light is dangerous that we have now, 
Unless you are careful and know just how. 

Then came the wonderful electric spark, 
With it we could see to the distant park, 
The electric light is white and bright. 
And in colors, is such a grand sight. 

The electric light plant is a great machine. 
People don't know yet what it does mean. 
One thing I know and that I'll say. 
It has almost turned night into day. 

Doctor Franklin done a thing great and grand, 
When he brought that lightning down to his 

hand. 
But it got out of the bottle, the thing never 

stayed. 
Then we took a notion to have some made. 

We now make lightning, use it as we please, 
To run street cars, do anything with ease. 
When we make a thing we have full control, 
Now we can light up most any dark hole. 

But the electric light has come now to stay, 
We can light up the whole world in a day, 

[171 



"ALL KINDS'' OF GEMS 

It not only gives light but it has such a power, 
Can go around the world a hundred times an 
hour. 

But we have a light, the Light of the Gospel, 
That is able to save all men from Hell, 
'Tis the greatest light on earth that is known, 
And shines from Earth to Heaven's Throne. 

If we walk in this light, we'll make no mis- 
take. 
For when we leave 'twill shine in our wake. 
We can also see just what we are about, 
And this is the Light that will never go out. 



WORKING WITH FLAX. 

When I was a boy, I remember some facts. 
We would all get together, pull our neighbor's 

flax. 
Would pull all day and when the patch was 

done. 
Then the boys and the galls would have their 

fun. 

The flax would lay till brittle and would break, 
Then we would send for Old Black Jake, 
'Twas hard on Jake, he said it jarred his livers, 
He'd break it, jerk it, and flirt out the slivers. 

[18] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

I picked up a bunch and drew it through the 

hackle, 
Scared a hen from her nest and how she did 

cackle ; 
The hens them days they laid in the flax, 
And the confounded pigs would crawl through 

the cracks. 

To break this flax it took a stout man, 
Then we'd hang it in the sun, go over it again. 
Drawing through the hackle 'twould pull out, 

you know. 
That which came out was what we called tow. 

Sometimes us boys would want some fun. 
We'd steal the tow to shoot our pop-gun, 
But times like those have passed away, 
I hope we are seeing a much better day. 

They had a dogwood bush, they called it a 

rock, 
Would wind it full of tow, stick it in a block. 
The spool and the flyers catch the thread when 

made, 
She'd feel it with her fingers to tell about the 

grade. 

I've seen grandma sit a solid half day. 
Sleeping and nodding and spinning away, 
Her foot on the treadle would be going slow. 
Every once in a while she'd look up just so. 

[19] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

It took a heap of work, a whole lot of spinnin'. 
But after awhile 'twas woven into linen, 
This linen was pure and clean and white, 
And the way it wore was a perfect sight. 



OLD TIME RIDING. 

Horseback riding was the old way to ride. 
The men rode astraddle, the women rode aside, 
But in a little while they got to be so smart, 
They rode in a buggy or a two-wheeled cart. 

But the time has come the women's about to 

balk. 
Must either ride astraddle or get down and 

walk. 
But women ride in pretty bloomers now, 
And so would the men, but they don't know 

how. 

The first ride I took was in forty-nine, 
Pa rode before and I rode behind. 
The horse was barefoot and so was I, 
He jolted me so, I thought I'd die. 

A Pullman sleeper was then not known, 
Nor the electric motor nor the great telephone, 
But many of the old folks now are dead, 
But Science and Art just pushes ahead. 

[20] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The cars were then just beginning to run, 
And not many folks had ever seen one, 
A few of the wealthiest and some of the in- 
sane, 
Were big enough fools to ride on the train. 

But I knew a man once who was so dull, 
He never saw anything to tickle his hull. 
He was tried many ways but never would 

tickle, 
Till he saw a boy riding on a cycle. 

When he saw this he raised on his toes. 
And laughed and hollered, "Yonder he goes," 
He laughed so much he forgot his meal, 
And says, ''Did you see that boy on a wheel?" 

In riding a cycle it takes a little art, 
A boy can soon learn when he gets a start, 
I rode one once, 'twas before I knowed 
When I came to myself I was lying in the 
road. 

As to things we ride, there are so many kinds. 
This tells the tale of man of so many minds. 
There are buggies, wagons, cycles and cars. 
And now comes the air-ship to ride to the 
stars. 

But the flying machine or aeroplane, 
Is made for people almost insane, 

[21] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Some people want to fly up so high, 
But I don't want to go until after I die. 



OLD TIME TALKING AND NOW. 

The way they used to talk, one army to an- 
other, 

Was every hundred yards, one would hollo 
to the other. 

Sometimes blow a horn, you could hear it a 
mile, 

This was their telegraph, I mean the old style. 

Morse invented the telegraph, so great in his 

day, 
You could talk to a man three thousand miles 

away. 
A wire was then laid in the depths of the 

ocean. 
We could talk across the water if we'd take a 

notion. 

But Science and Art has got to be the gainer, 
The telephone came, we still talk plainer, 
The sound so plain, you could hear the voice. 
We can now 'phone , telegraph, take our 
choice. 

Now, you can sit right in your own door, 
And talk to forty places or more, 

[22] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

I tell you this is one great wonder 

That a man can talk louder than thunder. 

Had I told a man this fifty years ago, 
He'd a thought I was a fool and a just said so, 
But you see 'tis so, just as well as I, 
A man would live longer if he didn't have to 
die. 

If we want to make a trade close or far 

around. 
Give a ring on the 'phone, talk all over town. 
Ask many things also about the price. 
Turn around to the fire, don't you think it's 

nice? 

The telephone saves us very much labor. 
Gives all a chance to talk with his neighbor, 
The old man Edison who made the invention. 
Had no idea what the people might mention. 

Now we send a message over mountain and 

hollow, 
And not a single wire has the message to 

follow. 
Oh, we are living in such a fast age. 
Inventions and Inventors has got to be the 

rage. 



[23] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



NO MORE OLD TIMES. 

Meeting my sweetheart of long ago, 
And what do you think I did say, 

That your sweet face does wrinkle so. 
And pretty hair has turned so gray. 

I said no more old times for me, 
I said no more old times for you. 

There are old times others may see, 
I hope they'll be better and true. 

No more old times for you, my love, 
There are no more old times for me. 

But when we reach that heaven above, 
Oh, then what good new times 'twill be. 

And if we in this life can't see. 

Each others' face no more. 
In Heaven's home I will meet thee. 

Where neither one will ever be poor. 

Then will happy new times begin. 
And best of all they never will end. 

Then we will both be saved from sin. 
With Jesus as our dearest friend. 



[24] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



OLD TIME SINGING. 

I have heard to-day old time singing, 
The sound in my ears still ringing. 

The harp of Columbia, day by day. 
From this old book, seed is springing. 

Harp of Columbia, blessed book. 
Scattered around in every nook. 

It's songs are sweet and can't be beat, 
And never will be on earth forsook. 

Those songs written with goose quill pen. 
Have been so sweet in the hearts of men, 

In Heaven we'll meet at Jesus' feet. 
They still will be much sweeter then. 

When my body is dead and gone to dust, 
I hope to be among the just. 

And this music sing on a golden string. 
So may we all in Jesus trust. 

I hope that all on earth may rise 
To a home prepared above the skies. 

And sing those songs which now belongs 
To them who see with Spiritual eyes. 



[25] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



SPRING POETRY. 

The time for spring poetry is now in season, 
If we can't have some, what's the reason? 
I think we all can stand the shock, 
So I've a notion to get out a stock. 

Now you may think this a little bit thin, 

But it is time we were getting spring stuff in, 

We've starved all winter for something of the 

kind, 
Let us have a little, 'twill rest our mind. 

Spring, the sweetest time in all the year 
And for a little poetry no one would care, 
Care or not, I am going to make it, 
If folks don't want it, they needn't take it. 

Anyone can write poetry on spring, 
That is, if they can write anything. 
Can talk about birds and Easter flowers, 
'Tis a very nice way to pass the hours. 

At this time of the year such poetry is knock- 
ing, 
Passed without notice 'twould be shocking. 
For some folks, it's a very good tonic. 
And for others 'tis a good mnemonic. 

[26] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The bees are humming, the railroad is coming, 
This town is full of drummers a drumming, 
All the spring birds are out to sing, 
And old yellow butterfly, he's on the wing. 

The flowers are smelling, spring bonnets are 

selling, 
The boys and girls at school are spelling, 
The grass is growing and the roosters crowing, 
And the old folks to the churches are going. 

'Tis warm and hazy and this makes us lazy. 
For hog-jole and greens we are almost crazy. 
We are planting peas, corn and cotton, 
And bad winter roads are now forgotten. 

We will walk the street, talk when we meet, 
A scarce time of year but plenty to eat. 
But that old brass band is nice and grand, 
And may be more than we all can stand. 

We take our ease and do as we please, 
Go to the bee stand, rob our bees. 
But now suppose I come to a close. 
For this is enough as far as it goes. 



OLD SUMMER TIME. 

Now I wouldn't care if summer was here 
For I am tired of this old year. 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

The first day of June is none too soon 

For summer to come on the new of the moon. 

Summer time brings us plenty to eat, 
And for lying in the shade it can't be beat. 
Lettuce and salad and things that's green 
And Irish potatoes, the finest I've seen. 

The good old strawberries so nice and red, 
And the finest cabbage with a great big head, 
And the sweet red cherries so nice and sv/eet, 
And beans and peas and the old sugar beet. 

Also the watermelon with its sweet sugar 

juice, 
And everything to eat is just turned loose. 
Yes, the old cantaloupe I had like to forgot. 
And the big apple dumplings boiled in a pot. 

Then comes jellies and all kinds of pies. 
And it keeps one busy knocking the flies, 
And all kinds of berries that grow on briers, 
And the small young chicks, what we call 

fryers. 
Then the old June bug comes singing around. 
But he don't live long if he hits the ground. 
And the grasshopper just keeps on hoppin', 
For the old hen gets him if he goes to stoppin*. 

But old summertime is not all good 

In making the jellies I have to cut wood, 

,l28J 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Then you ought to see the big sweat roll, 
And I'd feel better near the North Pole. 

I've plowed and hoed in the weedy corn 
'Till sometimes I wish I hadn't been born, 
And hilling up potatoes, I'd get so hot, 
I'd say it to myself, I'd say, "Dod-drot." 

Take old summertime, the good with the bad, 
'Tis hard on the tools, but it's making the lad. 
We all have to work, the whole family round, 
'Tis the time of the year to work in the 
ground. 

Let us thank the Lord for the blessings we en- 
joy. 
I am talking now to the girl and the boy. 
Then when you come to the end of life's career. 
You will understand better why you were 
here. 



THE FALL SEASON, OR AUTUMN. 

After spring and summer, then comes fall, 
This lacks one season of being all. 
Even in autumn there's no time for play. 
While the sun shines we must still make hay. 

But you talk about the working season, 
Work in the fall is all out of reason, 

[29] 



"ALL KINDS'' OF GEMS 

The ground is to plow and fences to make, 
Corn to cut up and fodder to take. 

Corn is to gather and wheat is to sow, 
So much to do and we get along slow, 
There is wood to cut and wood to haul, 
And that little youngster, he must bawl. 

Dried beans to gather and potatoes to dig, 
And every Sunday morning gear up a rig. 
The cattle to feed, the hogs to fatten, 
And wait on the girls to don their satin. 

Apples to gather, put away in the cellar 
To eat in the winter when good and mellow. 
Stove-wood to split and put in the shed. 
Gets away with me, it's so hard and dead. 

To put away the shucks and pumpkins, too. 
And a hundred other things they ask me to do. 
Oats to sow and feed to haul in. 
The cows to milk and one to skin. 

Wheat ground to break and manure to haul, 
And there's that youngster again to bawl. 
Apples and tomatoes both to can, 
'Tis enough to weary most any man. 

So many things, no one don't know. 
The turnips and buckwheat both to sow. 
A thousand little things you can't think about. 
Fruit to dry and the beans to get out. 

[30] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The wheat to thresh and the straw to stack, 
And that old hay rake has got to go back, 
But time slips away, 'tis a mighty short fall, 
So I haven't time to tell it all. 



WINTER. 

Spring, summer and autumn have all passed 
And old winter time has come at last, 
One thing about winter I do love to say, 
There is not so much work and a little more 
play. 

Then Santa Claus comes with his reindeer 

team. 
But I never saw him, only in a dream. 
But the old folks and him are well acquainted, 
He come down the chimney one time Ma 

fainted. 

Our apples we picked are all about to rot. 
But winter is the time to eat what we've got. 
We have a rest, too, from the plow and hoe, 
I don't mind the winter so the wind don't 
blow. 

Pa will put on his overcoat and overshoes. 
Go down to the postoffice to get the news. 
Now, this is the time when the New Year be- 
gins, 
We all turn a new leaf, blot out our sins. 

[31] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But along about the time of St. Valentine's day 
We look at our new leaf, don't know what to 

say, 
It is scratched all over, blotted here and there, 
And there is hardly a thing on the leaf that is 

fair. 



MOTHER'S SICK CHILD. 

I am sick, mother says I may die, 
But who will stay with mother then? 

She was so glad when I was by 

I'd help her feed the pig in the pen. 

[Whose hand will smooth sweet mother's brow, 
And who will go with her to the spring, 

[Who will go after old Brin, the cow. 
And who will listen to mother sing? 

But mother says if we must part. 
That some time we will meet again. 

I hope and trust in my poor heart, 
I'll meet my sweet little sister Ann. 

Good-by, mother, I feel that I must go, 
Will it be long before you come? 

But you'll be there for you said so, 
And then we will both be at home. 

(Yes, darling, I will upon you wait, 
You are going, I feel it in my heart, 

[32] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

In another land, in a different state, 
We will meet again and will never part. 



MY TENNESSEE. 

Thy mountains and thy hills are eternal, 

Thy rocks are all kinds that grow, 
Thy days and nights are perfect diurnal, 
Thy silver moonlight white as snow. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
I am so glad I know thee. 

Thy rivers and mineral springs so pure. 

The music they make over rocks is sweet, 
Any disease on earth they help or cure. 
Not a sweeter country trod by human feet. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
How can I do without thee? 

The fruits in this land of the free, 

The varieties and flavors can't be beat, 
I'll live in no land but Old Tennessee, 
Have all we want and plenty to eat. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
'Tis sweeter every day to me. 

Of all the flowers, we have the sweetest, 
The kinds and colors, I could not tell in an 
hour, 
Our towns and villages are the neatest, 

[33] 



"ALL KINDS'* OF GEMS 

And our water courses a mighty power. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
Thou art good enough for me. 

My Tennessee ladies, I will not forget you, 

If 'twas not for you how could we get along, 
Thy help is acceptable in all that we do. 

And when we obey you we do nothing 
wrong. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
I would not love to leave thee. 

We lay our bodies down to rest at night. 

May be secure with doors open wide. 
The mean old mosquito don't come to bite, 
And we cheat the night house out of his ride. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
I am trusting still in thee. 

We have no stormy winds that blow. 

No ninety miles an hour cyclone, 
Gentle rains make our corn crops grow, 
While we talk to each other on the 'phone. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
I will ever remember thee. 

The doctors here would starve to death, 

Were they to live by making pills. 
The atmosphere gives sweetness of breath. 
We have no fever nor ague chills. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
Thou are healthy enough for me. 

[34] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Our schools and teachers, the highest grade, 

And our preachers are most the best, 
Our religion is the kind that will never fade, 
And when we die we go to rest. 
Oh I My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
We do all love to praise thee. 

Winter just cold enough to make a man feel 
good, 
No one ever died from heat in summer, 
We have millions of tons of coal and wood. 
And the City of Knoxville, she's a hummer. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
So many people love thee. 

The rich and poor are nearer alike, 

Than any other place I've known, 
One thing we lack and that's a pike. 
Pike or no pike, I can't change my tone. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
I always try to please thee. 

Now for national also for state. 
She has furnished men that was up to date, 
Our Andy Johnson, one of the best, 
But he has gone to peaceful rest. 

Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 

No other refuge for me. 

There's William G. Brownlow, also John Bell, 
And a good many others I could tell, 
There was L. C. Hayns and James K. Polk, 

[35] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And Old Hickory Jackson as tough as an oak. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
Bristol, Virginia, and Tennessee. 

Only a little bit more I have to say, 
We've furnished three presidents in our day, 
If this is not enough and you want some more. 
All you have to do is to open the door. 
Oh ! My Tennessee, my Tennessee, 
Virginia, Tennessee and Gen'l. Lee. 



A WATCH. 

The tickiest little thing I ever saw, 
Is a little gold watch I own myself. 

I did not get it in these things you draw, 
Oh, how it does tick lying on a shelf. 

It goes tickie, tickie, tickie tick. 

Lying on a shelf gives it more sound, 

'Tis music in my ears when I am sick, 

It's the best little watch that makes a sound. 

A watch that keeps correct the time. 

Runs day and night and never gets tired. 

About this little watch, I'll make you a rhyme, 
There never was a watch more admired. 

This is a lady's nice little gold watch, 
But you all know I am an old man, 

[36] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

And how I came by this little watch 
I don't suppose you all understand. 

A long time ago when I was young, 

This watch belonged to a sweet little girl, 

There was none like her as the poet sung. 
Her eyes were black and her hair would curl. 

I cannot describe her pretty form 

And her heart was always full of love, 

In all her trials, trouble and storm 

She was just as calm as the One above. 

While on her dying bed she humbly lay, 
Her doctor told her that she must die. 

I went to see her that very same day. 
And her sweet spirit was ready to fly. 

I said, "Darling, I come over to see," 
Then what do you think, to me she said, 

"Take this little watch, remember me, 
When I am gone, when I am dead." 

Then I said to her, "My dearest love. 
Are you going to leave me alone?" 

She says, "To-day, I'll be up above 
With my Jesus around the throne." 

Then she looked at me and smiled, 

Tears from her eyes dropped on the bed. 

She says, "Oh, William, how I love you," 
That's the last word that she said. 

[37] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then I followed where they laid her, 
I watched them raise the little mound, 

She was buried beside her sweet mother, 
I looked at my watch and not a sound. 

I reached my home, 'twas just at dark, 

I never felt in my life so queer, 
I would mend the fire, there was not a spark, 

Oh, what would I give if she was here. 

I thought in my soul, can I stand this? 

I took out my watch, the hands stood fast, 
I looked at the stem and gave it a kiss. 

For I knew her hand had been there last. 

Then I lay down on the bed to rest, 
My soul and body was in a quiver, 

Fd think of her I loved the best. 
To think that she had crossed the river. 

At last I wearied myself to sleep, 
I did not wake until morning dawn, 

I dreamed I crossed a river so deep, 
But in reality, my love had gone. 

The watch, I carefully laid it away, 

When it left my hand 'twas wet with tears, 

I opened that drawer the first time to-day, 
The time of its rest was forty-five years. 

The watch was run down, so was my life. 
When I wound it up it gave a tick, 

[38] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

My mind on one who should have been my; 
wife, 
These painful thoughts they made me sick'. 

What made me let it lay there so long, 

I was thinking of the end which was so sad, 

When I remembered she had done no wrong, 
Had I looked at it often, I'd been so glad. 

Its ticking sounds so sweet to me, 
If 'twas not for it, what would I do? 

The way I am traveling I can see. 
It won't be long till I'll be there too. 

Blessed watch, money would not buy it. 
Every tick it gives increases my love. 

I love her still, I cannot deny it, 

Beautiful, sweet little heavenly dove. 



TO THE CHILDREN. 

Children, please give me attention, 
Just a few things I want to mention, 
Always, always do tell the truth. 
And be industrious while in youth. 

Children don't know just what they need, 
Tobacco and cigars, don't touch the weed. 
Please do this, I know you can. 
Soon you'll take the place of man. 

[39] 



"ALL" KINDS" OF GEMS 

iWhile in youth you are sowing seed, 
In old age reap according to deed, 
If good habits in the body are set, 
You'll then have nothing to regret. 

Then you can be in the foremost rank. 
No one will dare call you a crank, 
Will be successful in your plan, 
And a benefit to poor, fallen man. 

Then if you should choose a wife, 
She would live a peaceful, happy life. 
Your love for her would never cease. 
Your home would be a home of peace. 

Now, would you not like to do all this 
And in the end have perfect bliss? 
Well, all of this it can be done 
And you as any may be the one. 



EDGAR ALLAN POE. 

His body dead and gone to dust, 
And may be one among the just. 

His verse is old and bright as gold, 
Is always new and will never rust. 

This life for him was a weary lot. 
Yet every place was a sacred spot, 

.[40] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Wherever he'd roam, it was his home, 
But his little wife, he never forgot. 

Poverty's tide he had to stem, 
In doing so he found the gem 

That was worth the strife of a weary life. 
And led him on to Jerusalem. 

Mortal man cannot portray 
The hardships of his earthly day, 

We should not scan our fellowman 
While he is in the living clay. 

This body from its dust shall rise, 
Angels then will bear the prize, 

Then his verse we will rehearse, 
As they lift him above the skies. 

But as long as days and years pass by, 
And when we see the darkened sky, 

He will live till then in the hearts of men, 
And through eternity will never die. 



A SISTER'S LOVE FOR A SOLDIER 
BROTHER. 

(These are Facts.) 

William Pornter was our friend. 
And the first to volunteer, 

[41] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

There was none any braver, 

He simply had no fear, 
He went to fight for his country 

And also die if need. 
And when he left his home 

His sister said, "God-speed." 

This young man and his sister. 

They loved each other well, 
Oh, how the parting hurt her 

No one on earth can tell. 
She said, "Dear brother William, 

I'd hate for you to die," 
Then I saw him take her hand, 

And said to her, "Good-by." 

She just had two brothers left 

Not old enough to go. 
And it seemed her heart 

Was not set upon them so. 
When the company rode away 

Their guns a shining bright. 
She stood and watched her brother 

Til he was out of sight. 

He was gone three months or more. 

Or maybe not so long. 
She got a letter from his captain, 

She feared there's something wrong. 
'Twas written in Tennessee 

And from the County of Scott, 

[42] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

It called sweet William's name 
And said that he was shot. 

He was the first victim fell 

Upon this Tennessee soil. 
And then it made the blood 

In many people boil. 
And yet I was so very young, 

I'll never forget the day, 
.When they brought that soldier home 

And buried him in his gray. 

They buried him in ten feet 

Of our dear little farm. 
The mourning and the crying 

Was to me like a storm. 
He was buried in his uniform 

With his sabre by his side. 
His sister wished it had been her 

Instead of him that died. 

When the people left the grave, 

His sister still sat there, 
I was at a little distance, 

I wish you had heard her prayer. 
I have heard preachers preach. 

And I have heard people pray. 
But her prayer effects me now. 

Even unto this day. 

Now, her two younger brothers 
And myself, we were chums, 

[43] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But they bid me good-bye 
And followed the beat of drums. 

Jim was my dearest friend, 
To Vicksburg he was sent, 

He was so young and slender, 
I don't see what he meant. 

He did not return again 

For three long years or more, 
And when he did come home, 

He was so awful poor. 
I met him at the station, 

We had three miles to walk. 
We would walk a little piece 

And then sit down and talk. 

And when he reached his home, 

He was so tired he couldn't rest. 
Of all the soldiers that returned, 

I think he was the best. 
His other brother never left. 

For he was a home guard. 
And many people who knew him, 

Said that he was hard. 

I thought that Jim would never 

Get home again alive, 
But the Lord did bring him back 

In the spring of sixty-five. 
And when the war was over, 

Jim, he thought it best 

[44] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

To take his brother Loranaza, 
Go out into the West. 

Then it was I lost sight 

Of the best friend I had, 
Then we moved to Hawkins County, 

And, Oh, I felt so bad. 
Forty years has now gone by 

Since I have seen his face, 
But never mind, we'll meet again, 

Only by God's grace. 



SOUTHERN THOUGHT. 

I was not in the army, but I suffered all the 

same. 
As to all the consequences, I have no one to 

blame. 
To him who wore the blue, to him who wore 

the gray, 
I'll say the war is over, I've nothing more to 

say. 

As to which side was right, or which side was 

wrong, 
I have nothing now to say, I am glad I've 

lived this long. 
There never was a country that's had such 

great increase. 
So let us all together live and die in peace. 

[45] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Oh, let us live in peace and never do no dirt, 

And forevermore forget we had our feelings 
hurt, 

Oh, may we be united and all of us be neigh- 
bors, 

Like a band of brothers, then God will bless 
our labors. 

I am not a politician, yet, I am nothing less. 

You ought to hear me now my politics ex- 
press, 

I am for Hawkins County and then for Ten- 
nessee, 

I know that this is right, with me you will 
agree. 

I am for all the states that join on either side, 
Now I guess you think my politics are wide, 
I am for all the states and all the land that 

jine, 
As to those Philippines, I don't want none in 

mine. 

I have but one object in what I now do write, 
You can guess what it is, the solid South unite, 
You know we were divided when the war was 

done, 
Let us all be united, let us all be one. 

Let us all join together, make the South a 

happy land. 
Then if any trouble comes, let us by each other 

stand, 

[46] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Lay our politics aside, be each other's friend, 
This is the way to live, 'twill pay us in the 
end. 

You know we are ahead in every thing in art. 
When you commence in life this is the place to 

start. 
This country is so great and none on earth is 

greater. 
So I will rest awhile, I'll write you more later. 



ALL KINDS. 

How I feel this morning, I can hardly tell, 
I think I feel like taking a writing spell, 
So I sit down to write I suppose, 
And what I'll say, God only knows. 

While I don't wish to prevaricate, 
I'll bring this writing up to date, 
I'll drive far out in the open field, 
And a large per cent, will be the yield. 

If you were me, I wouldn't be you. 
What you would want, I wouldn't do. 
If I were you, you wouldn't be me, 
And the way I'd look, you couldn't see. 

Some folks may say my poetry is good. 
And some may say 'tis rotten wood, 

[47] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But this is written just for a sample, 
Now see if you can work the example. 

I make my poetry without either lung, 
And my poetry may never be sung, 
If I knew it I'd feel a little sad, 
But not like a man that gets so mad. 

Some people live poor and some live fat. 
Some are Republican and some Democrat, 
So I don't write trying to please all. 
That's one thing can't be done at all. 

Then some are raised on tea and rice, 
And they do think they are so nice, 
But I just write on my own concern, 
'Front or please, I don't give a durn. 



A POET'S THOUGHT. 

One thing you can say about a poet. 
Most all the good women love him. 

Yet in his work he does not show it. 
He also knows there is One above him. 

[Women and poets go very well together, 
But little children are the poet's pride, 

If choice were made one for the other, 
I'd take the children on my side. 

148] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Oh, let me put the sweet bread down, 
And keep it in the children's sight, 

Then while the old folks stand around, 
The poor little tots can get a bite. 

They are the greatest blessing ever given, 
To man and woman on earth below, 

For they are of the Kingdom of Heaven, 
You know our Saviour told us so. 

God in his wisdom has given to man, 
The women and the sweet children, too; 

He should do with them, the best he can, 
And that is all that he can do. 

Was it not for woman so kind and sweet, 
Oh, where would our children be. 

We'd have no homes, no bread nor meat. 
And nothing but trouble and sorrow see. 

Thank the Lord for all these blessings, 
Let us to our wives be kind and true, 

Then when we are judged for earthly things, 
The Lord will say our work will do. 



SAN FRANCISCO'S EARTHQUAKE. 

Beautiful San Francisco is doomed, 
Fire and earthquake dug her grave, 

The raging fires lined her tomb, 
No way for human aid to save. 

[49] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

The city resting so calm, so sweet, 

Glimmering rays in the East gave light, 

Thousands ready to rise on feet, 
Were buried in eternal night. 

Her palaced churches and resorts of pleasure, 
Were as fine as the world could afford. 

Was rich in goods and money treasure. 
Her vaults with millions of money stored. 

The towering, gigantic buildings fell, 
Built by man's architectural power, 

Souls reminded of Heaven and hell, 
And of that awful judgment hour. 

But, Oh, too late, no time to prepare, 
Resting sweet on beds of slumber. 

The rich, the poor, the millionaire. 
All alike were swallowed under. 

Reduced to ashes, her riches gone. 

For her people I felt so sad, 
For help. Congress was not called upon, 

She gave a million and we were glad. 

Many poor souls were cooked alive. 
Held down with red hot iron beams. 

In the high places and in low dive. 
Comrades only hear their screams. 

Oh, with horror, despair and dread, 
The stoutest heart just had to fail, 

[50] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The mangled, crippled and the dead, 
I shudder when I tell the tale. 

Angels may have known their fate, 
But Heaven's laws would not notify, 

Before the throne stands an open gate, 
All people have heard the Gospel cry. 

We recognize this, the hand of God, 
Done to make us seriously think, 

To-morrow we may be under sod. 
We are to-day on death's cold brink. 



THE LITTLE RUNAWAYS. 

One time I ran off with little sister Sue, 
We went across the fields in a big heavy dew, 
Our clothes were wet, but on we goes ; 
I said to Sue, just look at your clothes. 

When we got across the fields in the road, 
Little Sue wished we hadn't goed, 
My socks were wet like Susie's hose, 
I said to Susie, just look at your clothes. 

It seemed that we were gone a week, 
Then we come to a great big creek, 
Then both of us were at a loss, 
There was no way for us to cross. 

[51] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

I rolled up my pants, fixed to wade, 
Then Susie says, I wished I had stayed, 
We got half way over the water so cold, 
Then I says, Susie, aren't we bold. 

So on we went as long as 'twas light, 
Says I, little Sue, where'll we stay to-night? 
She says, I don't know, I am so out of heart, 
I do wish now we had never made the start. 

At last we came to the forks of the road, 
We both stopped still, for neither one knowed, 
But I will take this one, 'tis right I suppose, 
Come on, little Sue, you look like a rose. 

'Twas about nine o'clock then in the night, 
We saw a little town, 'twas just in sight. 
Directly we saw the houses in rows, 
I said come, Susie, I am about froze. 

Now grandpa lived in this little town, 
We thought we's lost but now we's found. 
But Susie remembers wherever she goes. 
She never will forget those thin white clothes. 



MOTHER EVE. 

Mrs. Eve ate an apple and Adam got the core. 
And that's the reason now we are are all so poor, 

[52] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

By eating that apple, we fell down in sin, 
Had it not been for Jesus, where would we 
have been? 

She had access to all except just one tree. 
But the apple was so tempting that she 

couldn't let it be. 
She knew very well what was the command, 
But she could not rest with the apple in her 

hand. 

Then she thought surely no harm to take a 

bite. 
And said to Mr. Adam 'twas all out of sight, 
Then she got some more, both ate together. 
Ever since that time Eve has been our mother. 

Then Mrs. Eve slipped away, sat down and 

cried. 
And Adam went off in a corner, there to hide ; 
They had eat the apple but left a little core, 
But Mrs. Eve said she could get plenty more. 

Adam thought he had made a good choice. 

And was well contented till he heard God's 
voice. 

He did not want to answer, not wanting to de- 
ceive. 

He came and told the Lord about Mother Eve. 

Then their eyes were opened, they could see 
well, 

[53] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

This, the first step taken downward unto hell, 
God said to the woman what is it thou hast 

done? 
She said she saw a serpent but didn't try to 

run. 

The Lord said to the serpent, this thou hast 

done, 
Thou shalt never again stand upright in the 

sun, 
Thou shalt crawl on the ground with dust on 

thy head, 
And the seed of the woman shall kill thee dead. 

To the woman he said, I will multiply thy sor- 
row. 

Thy husband shall rule thee forever and to- 
morrow. 

Yet there are some men who were born a fool. 

They are the only ones their wives should rule. 

He said to Adam because thou didst obey thy 

wife, 
Thou shalt bow down in sorrow all thy life. 
Thorns, thistles and briers, the land shall 

bring, 
And shall be glad to eat most any old thing. 

In the sweat of thy face we may have some 

bread. 
But to dust we'll return when our bodies are 
dead, 

[54] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Seed in the core has taken root and grown, 
And now we are reaping what we have sown. 

A promise then was made on account of the 

fall, 
In that provision he proposed to save us all. 
Without that provision man is nothing more 

than dust, 
His body and his soul would both go to rust. 

Without that provision there'd be no end to 

sin, 
In the end we'd be as if we had never been, 
He says he is the life, also the light of men. 
Every soul upon the earth should believe in 

him then. 

If we receive this light, believe in his name. 
We forever will be free from punishment and 

shame. 
For us he hung upon the cross, suffered till he 

died. 
And now we have Salvation in his bleeding 

side. 

We now have the apple, the core and the juice, 
If we die in sin we are without excuse, 
Let us try to do his will, fall at his feet. 
For the plan of Salvation is sure and complete, 

Through Adam we all fell, lost our precious 
garden, 

[55] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Christ came in his stead and will give us par- 
don, 
Now we are reinstated, we have a second start, 
And from our dearest Saviour we will never 
part. 



OLD NOAH. 

Old Noah was a man with a wise head, 

And God himself listened at what Noah said. 

He was a righteous man and the Lord he did 

fear. 
Had it not been for Noah we would not have 

been here. 

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, 

And with the Lord he worked with one ac- 
cord, 

He worked and preached until his ark was 
done, 

But the people laughed and said he didn't need 
one. 

God's wrath was high, he liked to slayed us all, 
Had Adam been like Noah, he'd saved us from 

the fall ; 
How many Noahs have we now in our day, 
How many now are trying to live and watch 

and pray? 

[S6] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

When the ark was done and ready to float, 
Then two of every kmd with the old Billie- 

goat, 
Came unto Noah and asked to enter in, 
But his neighbors wouldn't come on the ac- 
count of sin. 



When all were done coming and there was no 

more, 
Then the Lord come down and shut up the 

door, 
When it rained all day, and the whole of one 

night. 
Then the folks outside thought Noah was 

right. 

Forty days and forty nights the flood did pre- 
vail. 

Not a soul outside was left to tell the tale', 

So the human race was narrowed down to 
eight. 

What would you think 'twas now up to date. 

But don't you think people are just as blind 

to-day. 
That they sin in many ways, also .forget to 

pray, 
While some are very good, we have a sinful 

set. 
Yet all, the plan of Salvation have been met. 

[57] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

If we neglect this Salvation, go on and do 
wrong, 

Do you think that in the end, we'd sing a 
happy song? 

Refuse this salvation you are in the antedilu- 
vian rank, 

When Christ makes up his jewels, you will be 
a blank. 

Now, let us all wake up and work on God's 

plan, 
If we have been backsliding, come back to him 

again. 
For he will in nowise turn any one away, 
If we ask him for help he will not say nay. 



MOSES' MYSTIC ROD. 

Moses was a man who was sent from God, 
And carried with him the great mystic rod, 
This rod was first turned into a snake. 
And this was done for the Israelites' sake, 
But Pharaoh would not let Israel go. 
Because his magicians had done just so. 

The waters in the land were turned into blood. 
And the fish in the rivers died in the mud. 
Then with this rod he brought frogs upon the 

land. 
Yet King Pharaoh could not understand. 

[58] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

And he would not let Israel go, 
Because his magicians done just so. 

With this rod he struck the dust, turned it into 

lice. 
And they destroyed Pharaoh's fields of rice; 
With this rod he brought a great swarm of 

flies. 
Because Pharaoh was telling some awful big 

lies. 
Yet he would not let Israel go, 
And his magicians could not do so. 

Then Pharaoh told Moses if he would take the 
flies away, 

He would let them go in the wilderness to 
pray, 

Moses entreated the Lord for the flies to de- 
part, 

But Pharaoh got wrong and again hardened 
his heart. 

And yet he would not let Israel go. 

He knew his magicians could not do so. 

Then Moses brought boils, blains and the hail. 
Now who would have thought all these would 

fail, 
With the same old song he hardened his heart, 
And would not think to let Israel depart. 
He would not agree to let Israel go. 
And would not even his magicians know. 

[59] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Poor old Pharaoh had many and many a try- 
ing hour, 

For God had raised him up that he might show 
his power, 

Pharaoh said no more mighty thunderings and 
hail, they shall go, 

But he hardened his heart again 'and this was 
not so. 

With Israel he would not his promise keep, 

And his magicians had done gone to sleep. 

God said to-morrow I will bring the locust into 

thy coast. 
Because Pharaoh would not let Israel go with 

all his host; 
He said the men might go, serve the Lord as 

they desire, 
But that was not all the Lord did require. 
And yet he would not let Israel go. 
For what reason he did not seem to know. 

Then Moses stretched his rod over all the land, 
And such locust was never seen in a band. 
They covered the land and every green thing 

they did eat, 
Nothing was left in the land but locust for 

meat. 
Yet he would not let Israel go, 
When they asked him he plainly said no. 



[60] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Moses stretched his hand, there was darkness 

that was felt, 
'Twas enough to make the hardest of all 

hearts melt, 
It was dark for three days, the children of 

Israel had light, 
Pharaoh was so contrary, don't you think it 

served him right? 
Still he would not let Israel go. 
And why he did this I do not know. 

Pharaoh said to Moses, if you see my face any 

more you shall die ; 
Of course, you know, that Moses knew it was 

a lie. 
The Lord said to Moses I will bring on 

Pharaoh one more plague, 
And then I think Pharaoh will let you move a 

peg. 
Why he would not let them leave his land, 
I could not even understand. 

At midhight, the first born of all the Egyptians 
slain, 

Pharaoh was going to let Israel go, 'twas very 
plain, 

They borrowed of the Egyptians, silver and 
jewels of gold. 

The first born of the Egyptians' dead was aw- 
ful to behold. 

Then Pharaoh said Israel might go, 

And to hurry up and not be slow. 
[6i] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, couldn't let 

them go so free, 
With his army and chariots followed them to 

the sea, 
Then Moses stretched this rod, the Red Sea to 

divide, 
And the Israelites went safe over on the other 

side. 
Then came the army of King Pharaoh to the 

sea. 
And says I cannot let you go thus free. 

But on came Pharaoh's host unto the river 

bank. 
And started in the channel just like a crazy 

crank, 
The Israelites were over, the Egyptians started 

in. 
The sea swept over all the host on the account 

of sin. 
Then the great King Pharaoh let Israel go. 
Because he had gone and did not know. 

Now from this lesson we should learn. 
From what we promise we should not turn, 
We should not covet no one's wealth or his 

cattle, 
Then God will help us to fight the battle 
Of this sinful world here below. 
And when we die, we'll know where we go. 



[62] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

MOSES' MYSTIC ROD. 

(Continued.) 

This strife between Moses and Pharaoh is to 
teach one great and important lesson, and that 
is, that the soul or the spirit of man is bound 
in bondage in this mortal body, and that many 
times it would release itself from worldly 
things and soar up to a higher clime, to a land 
of freedom, but no, this old body, that is, the 
old Pharaoh that is in us, says not yet; there 
is pleasure, enjoy yourself, time enough yet, 
this world pleasure is yours if you will only 
enjoy it, but the soul still yearns for some- 
thing beyond worldly pleasures and makes a 
start in that direction. But the body, the old 
Pharaoh, sees the great Red Sea and he sees 
no way to get across. This great sea is the 
troubles and difficulties that the spiritual part 
of man has to fight in this life to live a just, 
a true Christian. The mortal body loves to 
have all these worldly things and the soul pulls 
one way and the old body the other way. The 
afflictions of this life are the plagues that come 
upon us for our sins and we see these things in 
front of us as the Red Sea, and, seeing no way 
to cross, we are inclined to turn back, hence, 
our back-sliding. 

[63] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Because our faith is too weak and Pharaoh 
makes another promise to let us go, so it goes 
on see-sawing back and forth, sometimes the 
whole of our lives and we never come to a con- 
clusion. 

The Israelites represent the Spiritual man 
seeking a land of promise beyond this life, and 
the Egyptians represent the body or worldly 
man that is content with this world alone. So 
you see this is a great contest, both sides con- 
tending, one side or the other must win. 

God raised up Pharaoh that he might show 
his great power in the world, and to teach us 
this great lesson for our good. And now, will 
we heed or lose all this? Pharaoh was made 
to suffer all this for our sakes, and I can't think 
that he was lost in the end, as God hardened 
his heart for our good. 

It teaches us also that there is a great host 
of the powers of sin following us who are try- 
ing to live a righteous life. Pulling one way 
and that, they are a strong host with chariots 
and horsemen and all the instruments of war- 
fare. Yet with all these he may be overcome, 
but it takes a hard fight and cannot be done 
only by obedience to God's laws and a faith 
that will not falter, a full determination to let 
the world go one way and we another. There 
is no way for us to escape but by and through 
the Red Sea, or death, and God will open a pas- 
sage free if we will only be faithful to the end. 
But, my brother, you will have a hard fight to 

[64] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

do this work unless you pray without ceasing, 
watching and keeping the Commandments. 

To gain this victory we must be brave, 
And in the end, our soul we'll save. 



SOLOMON'S SONG. 

Solomon was the wisest man 

That ever lived in his day, 
But while our men are not so wise, 

They are made of better clay. 

He was the greatest king 

Over Israel ever reigned; 
He had forty thousand horses, 

And of knowledge still gained. 

Now Solomon built the Temple, 

'Twas called the holy place. 
Inlaid with silver and gold 

And the finest of linen and lace. 

Hiram was the architect. 

Furnished the cedar and the fir, 

Solomon gave Hiram wheat and oil. 
Twenty thousand measures per year. 

He had four score thousand hewers. 
Three thousand three hundred overseers, 

[6s [ 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And when the building was completed, 
It took the time of seven years. 

The stones were squared and numbered 
In the quarries where raised, 

And all the work fit so nice. 
And Solomon he was praised. 

Without the use of an iron tool, 
This house was all put together. 

Work went on all the time. 

They did not stop for the weather. 

Then he built a house for the king, 
In thirteen years he got it done, 

Both were great and very costly, 
You could not tell the finest one. 

When the houses were finished. 
And the dedication was made, 

Solomon blessed all the people. 
Then he rested in the shade. 

Then the good Queen of Sheba, 
Came hundreds of miles to see 

The riches of King Solomon 
And with him for to be. 

But Solomon let his idolatry 
And love for women strangt. 

Be the downfall of his kingdom. 
Then the Lord made a change. 
[66] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Seven hundred wives to divide his love, 

His life a busy one you see, 
One-half of that number, 

Would have been enough for me. 

He had three hundred concubines. 
To smooth his pathway of life. 

But now the wisest man that lives. 
Has only one woman for a wife. 

He had too many wives by half. 

Also too many concubines, 
The concubines and wives so thick, 

He got tangled in the vines. 

Too much money and too much gold. 
There is danger of going wrong. 

And this is one of the greatest reasons 
That Solomon couldn't sing a better song. 

Poor old Solomon, with all his wisdom. 
Was brought to sorrow, sin and shame. 

And no one knows to this good day. 
Who King Solomon had to blame. 



THE POWER OF GOD. 

The Lord can make a well man sick. 
The Lord can make a sick man well. 

But the Lord cannot against man's will, 
Save a sinful soul from hell. 

[67] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

God says you must be born again, 
And know your sins forgiven, 

Then with faith and hope prepared. 
We can enter in the gates of Heaven. 

There we are saved forevermore, 

And can enjoy the most perfect bliss, 

And, Oh ! the change no one can tell, 
But it's not to be compared with this. 

Let us prepare for this great change, 
While we have time, strength and health, 

Then when we go to a land that's strange, 
We will also find a land of wealth. 



THE RAILROAD ENGINEER. 

The railroad engineer should be a good man, 
And he of all men should his business under- 
stand, 
The lives of many people hang upon his arm, 
But in his strength and wisdom he keeps them 
from harm. 

He should be a man with a clear brain and 
head, 

A man that can work calmly and nothing 
dread, 

Stout and active, also of good weight. 

And one who knows his business right up-to- 
date. 

[68] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

With a steady nerve, a mind that is bright, 
He will bring his train safe through the dark 

night, 
Then sleep and refreshments, a good light roll, 
And a sweet little wife to refresh his soul. 

Around curves, over bridges that are high, 
The good engineer makes his train fairly fly. 
His hand on the throttle, his eyes on the track, 
He brings his train home, sound and compact. 

Such men as this are getting to be very rare. 
That do their work with watchfulness and 

care. 
But the railroad man should do it, if any, 
For by so doing he may save the lives of 

many. 



HANGING ON THE GATE. 

When I was a boy, I worked first rate. 
But I had a habit of hanging on the gate, 
If the moon was shining clear and bright 
I'd hang a little bit later in the night. 

But they don't hang on the gate any more, 
Have moved the hanging to the parlor door. 
Will hang and hang and hang it all 
And will not listen to their parents' call. 

[69] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But keep on hanging 'till both get hung, 

And the minister comes and the ceremony 

sung, 
Then we call them man and wife. 
So they are hung for the balance of life. 

But if they hang and hang to each other, 
The match is very well hung together, 
But if in pulling they pull apart. 
Then one has hung on the other's heart. 

If the woman pulls and pulls plumb loose, 
It shows the man was hung to a goose, 
If the man should pull and pull away yonder, 
It shows the woman was hung to a gander. 



DOUGH ON THE GOLDEN-ROD. 

What can I say of the golden-pen, 
It is mightier than the greatest men, 
Some say 'tis mightier than the sword, 
But not as mighty as the dough we hoard. 

The dollar is more than sword or pen, 
This is proven by our mightiest men. 
The coin or what we call the dough, 
Is mightier than anything I know. 

It will hang and keep from being hung, 
It can sting and keep from being stung, 

[70] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

It can and even does commit suicide, 
And none of these things can be denied. 

It's strength can almost move the world, 
For it, some will be into torment hurled; 
For it, some people will even die. 
There's nothing stronger under the sky. 

It rules the high and rules the low, 
Rules the world wherever you go. 
And with many folks it is their God, 
Such is the power of the golden-rod. 



EAST TENNESSEE BOYS. 

Our Tennessee boys are used to toil. 
They know how to work for bread, 

They do not let their farming spoil. 
They always try to keep ahead. 

They do not sleep their time away. 
And lose their mornings freshest air, 

They go, they come, they do not stay. 
Then they reap the fullest share. 

They court a lady for a wife. 

And never use the slightest force. 

They live a long and happy life. 
And never know about divorce. 

[71] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now would you like to be a boy 
Raised up in East Tennessee, 

And live a life of peace and joy, 
And be as good as a boy can be? 



JUST SO SHE DIDN'T WHINE. 

I love a wife with rosy cheeks, 

Not quite as dark as mine ; 
Her voice so soft when she speaks, 

Just so she doesn't whine. 

And if she has a robust form. 

But this is no bad sign, 
If we can eat without a storm, 

Just so she doesn't whine. 

When dinner comes with perfect peace, 
And the biscuits they are fine. 

My love for her would sure increase. 
Just so she didn't whine. 

Our breakfast might be very late. 

Maybe at eight or even nine, 
We would smile at each without a hate. 

Just so she didn't whine. 

If she should go away for life, 
I'd sit and weep and pine, 

172] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But I could say, Alas, poor wife. 
You were one that didn't whine. 



DEBTS. 

If a man owes me I ought to have the pay, 
But if I owe a man 'tis not that way. 
The reason we can't see all things alike, 
Is, my name is Will and your name is Mike. 

As long as I have lived I have never known 

yet. 
That a man is meaner when he gets in debt, 
Everywhere he goes he is sure to get a dun. 
And the weight on his mind is most like a ton. 

When I owe a man and walk down the street, 
He's the very first one that I am sure to meet', 
You may not think there is very much in it. 
But he will always say just hold up a minute. 

He'd try to tell you something you didn't 

know, 
Then he'd say can you pay me that little bit 

you owe 
Then I'd start off in a very slow gait. 
And ask him a little bit longer to wait. 

But a month has gone, time does slip away. 
And still this man has not got his pay, 

173] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then I would say, I'll meet him no more, 
Till I get the money and take it to his door. 

I was staying close home, working very hard. 
But I had to go to town to buy me some lard. 
And don't you think a mile down the lane, 
The man that I owed I met him again. 

I told him if I lived I'd pay him next week, 
And I just passed by I went like a streak. 
Next week come, I was down in the bed. 
The man he thought I was sure enough dead. 

When I saw him again I thought of the trick, 
I told him I'd paid him if I hadn't got sick, 
Then he says to me I wish you'd adied. 
You never will pay me, bust your old hide. 

That made me mad, I thought I wouldn't pay 

at all. 
There was nothing more said till away next 

fall. 
Then I had some corn and other stuff to sell, 
I says I'll pay you and you can go to — ] 



A TRIP, TO ARKANSAS. 

I don't want to do the state any wrong. 
For the Arkansas Traveler is my favorite song. 
But the land is poor, yes wet and poor, 
And the less a man has is better than more. 

[74] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The rivers spread so shallow and wide, 
And the banks so low on either side, 
When it rains and rains a good while. 
It adds to the width of the river a mile. 

There was plenty of water but don't you think, 
I couldn't get any that was fit to drink, 
The land was cleared and covered with water, 
So muddy and thick 'twould hold up a quarter. 

The druggist had signs that spoke about pills 
That were recommended to cure the chills. 
The timber was oak and in plenty enough. 
But I never did see such scrubby old stuff. 

Now you may think I am telling you a lie, 
But I saw stumps that were ten feet high. 
We passed a little town, they called it Wynn, 
The people there looked pale and thin. 

I traveled on the Iron Mountain and Little 

Rock, 
My business out there was to buy its stock, 
The road on Post got higher and higher, 
Till the road ran over the telegraph wire. 

The cars jumped up and down on the track. 
The noise they made was whackity-whack. 
They swayed around and kept such a knock, 
I came back home, not buying the stock. 

Some fields were planted in corn and cotton, 
It had fallen down and was partly rotten, 

[75] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Many cottages I saw on top of Post, 
The inmates to me looked like a ghost. 

The cattle were turned out loose in the cane, 
And would not scare at all at the train, 
They were not beef cattle, but small and thin, 
But the ones I saw was mostly skin. 

But don't fall out with my Arkansas letter, 
The timber and cotton are getting some better. 
But I bid old Arkansas good-bye, 
And come back home to eat pudding and pie. 



LITTLE KATE MULLER. 

Little Kate Muller was a walnut huller, 
And she didn't care for the walnut stain. 

Not every one knows just where she goes. 
Dressed up fine going down the lane. 

The little brown lass is a snake in the grass, 
And just as sharp as sharp can be, 

A plain little lad who would mind his dad, 
Was the smart little youth she wanted to see. 

She said to his face, where is your place? 

He said on the corner of State and Main, 
I love you much and it is not in Dutch, 

'Tis best for a gal to be always plain. 

[76] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But I'll tiptoe when I come you know, 

And I hope you'll think there is nothing 
wrong, 

But you must not blush if I tell you to hush, 
I'll treat you nice, it won't take me long. 

He backed in the corner, she says Mr. Horner, 
Please may I ask you one simple question, 

He says, why yes, I've got in a mess, 
I'll take you up at your own suggestion. 



JOHNNIE'S LOVER HELPED HIM OUT. 

One time I went to see my gal. 

And just for short they called her Sal, 

One thing I thought she never could do, 

But when I called her Miss Sallie, 

And told her she must rally, 

Or she could not pull me through. 

For I knew I could not come, 

If she did not help me some. 

For her I lost my sleep at night. 

She says, Johnnie don't you see, 

How far you have gone with me. 

Should you quit you wouldn't do me right. 

It has now been six years or more, 

Since you first come in our door, 

How much have you learned in this time, 

177] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

You have eaten at our table, 
All the time that you were able, 
And never gave us one single dime. 

Then he says, my Sallie, Sallie dear, 
To-morrow morning I'll be here. 
And the squire he will come too. 
We will put an end to this. 
Then he gave her one sweet kiss, 
And says FU give myself to you. 



ONE OF THE FIRST TELEPHONES. 

A long time ago I had a telephone. 
Of course I thought it was my own. 
But every time I went to ring, 
Some one else would have the thing. 

I'd put the receiver to my ear. 
And what do you think I would hear, 
Is that you, MoUie, and she'd say no, 
Then three or four more would say, hello. 

One would call Aunt Mollie Lee, 

I could hear all, nobody heard me. 

Then one would call Johnston's store. 

At the same time I'd hear three or four more. 

Some one would ask his Uncle John, 
If he knew how the folks come on, 

[78] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Just then I heard one call Church Hill, 
I, like a fool, would just hold still. 

They had so much to talk about, 

I thought they never would straighten out. 

Had I message and a good deal in it, 

The operator would say, just hold a minute. 

Message or no message I had to pay my fee, 
So many people talking it bothered me. 
When I saw that I couldn't use my own, 
I told them to take the old telephone. 



THE TELEPHONE. 

The telephone is certainly a grand thing, 
'Tis fleeter than the bird upon the wing, 
'Tis one of the greatest works of art. 
By which we talk so far apart. 

Though many miles apart we be, 
We talk to our friends we cannot see. 
And they understand just what we say. 
Yet they are many miles away. 

And when the doctor must be brought. 
There is no horse to be caught, 
You go to the 'phone and give it a ring. 
And tell the doctor just anything. 

[79] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now if you understand my rhyme, 
The doctor comes in half the time, 
It saves a horse and a rider too, 
And gives the doctor more time to do. 

Then if your mother lived in town, 
And she was sick and almost down. 
You then could step to the 'phone and say, 
Dear mother, how are you to-day? 

She could reply and say I am better. 
And ask if I had got her letter. 
Then if you wanted to sell some stock. 
You go to the 'phone and give it a knock. 

The answer is back and you would say. 
What's the price of hogs to-day? 
He says, I'll give you three cents, John, 
Then you say, just take them on. 

Next day brings you a check by m.ail 
And this winds up a big hog sale, 
Now if you want to be right smart. 
You go to the 'phone and say, sweetheart, 

And she'll say, John, why howdy do ; 
And he'll say, Mollie, how are you? 
Then what they say just after that, 
Is some very particular chat. 



;[8o] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



LIMERICKS. 

There was an old darky whose name was Ben, 

He was a curiosity among all men, 

'Twas a sight to see how much he could eat, 

And the grease ran out both his feet. 

One time he ate a five-pound hen. 

Now this old negro ate more and more. 
One time he ate half a man had in his store, 
He ate ten pounds of old rancid cheese, 
A gum full of honey and half the bees, 
And yet the old man stayed awful poor. 

He ate everything that came in his sight. 
Would eat all day and half the night, 
When the victuals was raw, he'd eat it raw, 
It took an awful sight to fill his craw. 
He'd eat all he wanted and he believed it right. 

Now, this old negro ate till he died. 

He ate twenty pounds of bacon just barely 

fried. 
This gave him the colic and belly-ache, too; 
And the negro died and the grease just flew. 
(Not a word was spoken and nobody cried. 



[8i] 



"ALL KINDS^' OF GEMS 



LIMERICKS. 

There was a young man who lived around 

here, 
And for spending his money he did not care, 
He had a whole lot of idle pets, 
And they had to eat and smoke cigarettes. 
His income twenty-five thousand per year. 

Another young man whose name was Crouch, 
He was all the time on a debauch, 
What do you think of such a young man 
That debauches more than he can stand. 
If he don't stop soon he'll ruin his pouch. 

Another young man went out to ride. 
His horse being gentle he rode aside, 
The horse came back with an empty saddle, 
The man he wished he had rode a-straddle. 
You see the horse just shied. 



ORIGINAL SAYINGS. 

The man who points an unloaded gun at an- 
other, is the biggest fool of any fool. 

Any man who has been a hog in his lifetime 
will be a groundhog when he dies. 

182], 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 
A sap-sucker is not a bird every time. 

You can't catch suckers without bait, 
But you can sit down and think and wait. 
Strange to think what we learn at school, 
Makes us smarter or a bigger fool. 

Most any man can make a blui^er, 

Not a man on earth can stop the thunder. 

The young man who parts his hair in the 
middle wants to be like his mamma. He also 
wants a fair divide. 

If I was a girl and had any sense, 

I'd hold the boys in some suspense, 

Any young man that drinks red liquor. 

He'd get out of my parlor and do it quicker. 

March is the time the wind blows, 
Can any one say that he knows 
From whence it comes or where it goes, 
But Science it can — suppose. 

Some people wear a collar on account of the 

dollar. 
Others wear a collar because their heads are 

hollow. 
When a man goes to the wall he wears none 

at all. 

Lots of people can raise cane, 

Not many of them can make the molasses. 

[83] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

A mail man without any mail is no account, 
Neither is a female. 

If damsel means a woman, 
Why not damson mean a man. 

A man who went to live with his son-in-law, 
Said he would about as soon go to the grave- 
yard, 
But he should remember the difference in the 

case, 
In the one case he would be a live dog, 
In the other case he would be a dead dog. 

But I'd rather be a fool and stay where it's 

cool, 
Than to be an old sot and go where it's hot. 



DECEPTION. 

Deception, oh, deception, planted in every 
heart, 

It was with our foreparents we got the start. 

And has been handed down to the present gen- 
eration. 

But should be buried deep by the American 
nation. 

Everything we read has a tendency to deceive. 
And when we read the truth 'tis hard to be- 
lieve, 

[84]. 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The newspapers are the worst to do this kind, 
And they have a heavy bearing on the public 
mind. 

If I was an editor or if I had a paper run, 

I would make the truth the truth and fun 
would be fun, 

But journals of this kind are very scarce in- 
deed, 

But editors ought to know that they are sow- 
ing seed. 

And the kind of seed they sow surely will 

mature, 
The reaping in the end may be hard to endure. 
Now let us all be careful about what we sow. 
If it is the good kind we will love to see it 

grow. 

Deception 'tis in everybody, also in everything, 
The time has now come when it should have 

another ring. 
If every human creature was from deception 

free. 
Oh, how much better off the human race would 

be. 

So let us all work and strive for this end. 
And the hardest lots of all will soon begin to 

mend, 
Let every one who reads this say the good 

work is begun, 

[8s] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And help us in the cause, we'll sooner get it 
done. 

This work we can do and all have a share, 
For in all our undertakings we should not de- 
spair. 
Now I will give you a deceptive little story. 
And see what you will say about my allegory. 

Now, my little Josie, I don't see what you 

mean, 
By entertaining that fool John Thompson 

Greene, 
Why he is not fit for a dish wash pan, 
And who do you think would want such a 

man? 

Next time he comes don't encourage him, Miss, 
For I tell you I am going to put a stop to this, 
You and John Greene going to church, a pretty 

scene, 
Or maybe you would like to be Mrs. Josie 

Greene. 

Good-morning, Mr. Greene, come in if you can 

get in. 
We are all hampered here, but I reckon it's no 

sin, 
Josie went over to Bob's, will be back in a little 

while. 
Then Mr. Green came in with a big smile. 
[86] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

He thinks the old lady so nice and kind, 

You see how people sometimes change their 

mind, 
About this time Josie came in with a laugh, 
The old Lady went out and stopped her chaff. 

Then John and Josie sit down for a little tete- 
a-tete, 

Mrs. Jones says, old man, what do you think of 
that? 

She was so full and it hurt her bosom so, 

That she could hardly wait for Mr. Greene to 
go- 

Josie, don't let that man come back here any 

more. 
If he does you must run and get behind the 

door. 
And behind the door you must stay. 
Until he leaves if it takes all the day. 

Only a week had passed, Mr. Greene was at 

the door. 
She says I didn't think I'd ask him in any 

more. 
Howdy, Mr. Greene, come in and have a seat, 
Well, I'll declare, Mr. Greene, you do look so 

neat. 

Mr. Greene sat down and picked up a book, 
The old lady went in to see about the cook. 

[87] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

She said to Josie, I wish you would go and see 
And bring that flower pot here to me. 

The flower pot was brought ; as soon as she 
was able 

'Twas returned to the parlor and set upon the 
table, 

Replenished with new flowers and them smell- 
ing sweet, 

Then she went to get something good to eat. 

Late in the evening Mr. Greene went away, 
Mrs. Jones came in and had a good deal to 

say, 
Josie, what the deuce do you want with that 

man Greene ; 
No account and the laziest man I ever seen. 

Why, he is not even fit to go in decent com- 
pany. 

Lord, if I was a single woman he'd never go 
with me. 

He never shall come in my house again 

For I will not shelter no such a man. 

Mr. Greene kept coming, him and Josie made 

a trade. 
They talked in the yard under a tree in the 

shade. 
Before the day come they were to tie the 

knot, 
He'd ask Mrs. Jones for Josie right on the 

spot. 

[88] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Yes, you can have her with both hand and 

heart, 
I am so glad she gets a man so nice and so 

smart, 
And when I am old you will remember me, 
And be just as good as a son-in-law can be. 



ROBUCK. 

Times are hard if you believe me. 
If you want to marry it just takes three, 
I could beat it if folks wouldn't laugh, 
I could get them from Robuck's for two and a 
half. 

But I am not marrying for fun nor play, 
But marrying because I feel that way ; 
If marrying don't suit me then, of course, 
I can send to Robuck and get a divorce. 

Robuck can supply whatever you desire. 
If you don't know what you want just inquire, 
And what you buy his price is lower, 
Than the very same goods at any other store. 

He has everything that the people use. 
From the finest suite to brogan shoes ; 
Will sell you a steam engine or a pin, 
And to buy of him some say 'tis a sin. 

[89] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now, Mr. Robuck, just keep on selling things, 
Your scissors and sharpeners, and gold brass 

rings, 
And as sure as you live, I will declare. 
It won't be long till you'll be a millionaire. 



ODD-FELLOWS. 

There was a man once who was so odd. 

That some people thought he wasn't made by 

God. 
But so many were odd, they formed a lodge. 
Everything that was mean they gave the 

dodge. 

The lodge was formed for the benefit of each, 
Not every one knows just what they teach. 
Their laws stand for all that is good, 
That much is right and is so understood. 

Secrets they have, things they don't tell, 
This, you see, doesn't sound well ; 
Now all these secrets they may be so, 
But keep outsiders in the dark you know. 

Now, Mr. Odd-Fellows, bring all things to 

light, 
And we'll all join and help you in the fight, 

[90] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

If your work is good, don't keep it in the dark, 
And we'll come and help you pilot your 
barque. 



W. H. HOUSLEY. 

I was born in the glorious month of June, 
And I was not born a bit too soon ; 
Was born in the edge of the seventeenth day, 
And I've had more work than I had play. 

Born in the year eighteen and forty-nine, 
Was born in the breast or cancer sign. 
Born in the Old Dominion state, 
Where men are wise and good and great. 

Born where the weather was dry and hot, 
And Washington County was the glorious 

spot. 
Then we moved to East Tennessee, 
When my age was about two or three. 

And then I grew to be a great man 

And my life has been but a short, little span) 

Now I am edging on to sixty-one. 

The work I had to do is not half done. 



|[9il 



'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



OUR BOB VS. CARMACK. 

Hello, Carmack, where are you at? 
On my way to the Senate, a Democrat. 
Well, I think you are playing hob. 
You know better than tackle our Bob. 

But in running you'll have time to walk, 
And wherever you stop drive a stob, 

But you needn't mind my fool talk. 

But you ought not to fool with our Bob. 

You have made your calculations wrong, 
You have undertaken a hard job ; 

We will watch you close as you go along, 
For we must take care of our Bob. 

Our Bob, the strongest man in the state, 

That is, we think so, at any rate; 

If he gets left it will be late, 

The election over, he'll walk into the Senate. 



MRS. CHADWICK. 

iMrs. Chadwick climbed high, wrecked the 

bank, 
[But she slid down on a mighty rough plank; 

[92] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Now some people call her a crank, 
And set her down in the lowest rank. 

Five million of dollars is all she stole, 
Which put her only ten years in a hole; 
Five hundred thousand a year for toll, 
Is all she charged for the persimmon pole. 

If she had stolen one thousand or two, 
The court would have all into pieces flew, 
Would have found a bill so good and true. 
Instead of ten, 'twould have been twenty-two. 

But IVe not got much more to say. 
Some people work whilst others play. 
And most everybody just wants their way, 
When they get in debt then the devil's to pay. 



PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. 

They say he's a president with a big stick, 
Such talk as this just makes me sick. 
They say he ate with Booker Washington, 
Well, that's his business whatever he done. 

Some people say he's a terrible fighter; 
Well, that's what makes his record brighter; 
They also say he's a rough rider; 
One thing I know he's no milk and cider. 

[[93] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

They also say he's an Imperialist, 
And used a big stick instead of his fist, 
And some fools say he wants to be a king, 
They say this and that and a little of every- 
thing. 

But I do with the president stand, 
Because he is president -of this whole land, 
There never has been a better man sent, 
To the big white house to be president. 

The reason I knov/ this I've lived so long, 
Am used to that old democratic song. 
Now let our president live and rule, 
He is one smart man, he is no old fool. 



WILLIAM J. BRYAN. 

One of our greatest men is William J. Bryan, 
But I know his politics are not like mine. 
He also lives in a western state. 
His love for the South is very great. 

Is one of the best known men in the South, 
And is not afraid to open his mouth ; 
He has offered for president twice in his time, 
And that helps me to make this rhyme. 

He is a good man, honest and all that. 
And 'tis a great pity he's a democrat; 

[94] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

His views on finances the world can't beat, 
In the big white house should have had a seat. 

Would have been a good man to keep things 

straight, 
And I think will be a candidate in nineteen 

hundred eight; 
Now I don't say this that you may laugh 

hearty, 
But he is the smartest man in the Democrat 

Party. 



SAM JONES. 

He is the most determined man I ever saw, 
To hold up for God, right and the law; 
He'd hit the nail every time on the head. 
Then some would talk about what he said. 

Jones come to Knoxville a blessed Godsend, 
It gave all a chance their evil ways to mend. 
But the people of Knoxville never did hear 
A preacher who preached with such little fear. 

He was used to preaching to a large crowd. 
He left no impressions under a cloud, 
What he says to people they have it to hear, 
And if they want to kick, why Jones don't 
care. 

[95] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

He just lets them kick and keep kicking, 

He knows they wouldn't if 'twasn't for the 

licking; 
I may be too fast, I'll call a little halt. 
If Jones licks a man, 'tis the man's own fault. 

He is a little eccentric, but I love the man, 
For he preaches his sermons on his own plan. 
As to knots in his sermons I cannot see. 
He may not please all, but he does please me. 



CALEB POWERS. 

How would you like to be Caleb Powers, 
And see so many, so many dark hours? 
If I was guilty I'd say 'twas so, 
If I was not guilty I'd let them know. 

But he says I am doing the best I can, 
I will prove to them I am an innocent man; 
I have now been five years in suspense, 
'Tis a wonder to me if I have any sense. 



But I am ready and willing to comply with 

the laws, 
But I don't want to die without a just cause; 
But the court is running its own shebang, 
Says in its judgment I must hang. 

The proof they have made I know is uncertain ; 

rrhey don't see all that's behind the curtain. 

[96] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

If 'twas in my power I'd take the curtain 

away, 
Then I'd not be here for another day. 

On the account of the killing of Mr. Gobel, 
IVe had to suffer five years in a hell, 
And don't you know this is a shame, 
Unless I had a been to blame? 

And how much longer God only knows; 
I am out of money and out of clothes. 
And no one is willing to plead for me, 
Unless 'tis done through charity. 

Could I get away from politicians, 
And have my trial on fair conditions, 
I would not stay much longer in here. 
When the trial was over I'd be clear. 

I'd tell the judge just one more time 
That I was not guilty of this crime; 
I hold no malice against jury nor judge. 
And from the truth I would not budge. 

I'd tell him if he knew he was right 
To hang me sure as high as a kite; 
I'd look that judge straight in the eye. 
And tell him I was ready to die. 

I'd tell him he could not deceive God, 
And when my body was under the sod, 
His ears would ring with Caleb Powers, 
With a tortured conscience, spend his hours. 
[97] 



"ALL KINDS'* OF GEMS 

He would remember he could not fail 
To meet me again when not in jail ; 
He will not be judge when we meet there, 
We will have a judge and one that's fair. 

But if you judge me and judge me right, 
You might save your soul from endless night, 
For your judge there is the same as mine, 
And don't you know he'll judge us fine. 

I want to say, judge, 'tis my only plea. 
Be careful what you do with me, 
For I am resigned unto my fate, 
And am looking up at the open gate. 

To the lawyers I have but little to say. 

For they are men who love to have their way, 

Especially when money is on their mind, 

If they don't watch they are a little unkind. 

Most all lawyers, when speaking to the jury, 
Speak very loud with a good deal of fury ; 
The Attorney General is much the same way, 
He is emphatic with a good deal to say. 

I love to see a lawyer do all he can. 
When he has promised to defend a man ; 
But ought he not to be certain and know. 
Before he'd give the poor man a blow? 

He ought to be sure the proof was made 
By honest men of the very best grade; 

[98] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Then give the prisoner the benefit of doubt, 
If not found guilty then turn him out. 

Under this kind of careful restriction 
You would be right in your conviction; 
Then if it demanded the man's release, 
He could let him go home in the sweetest 
peace. 

The jury should be careful as to proof, 
As if they were under the very same roof ; 
Weigh everything that comes in the case, 
As if they were in the prisoner's place. 

If a man has prejudice in a case like this, 
He's as mean as Judas, who betrayed with a 

kiss; 
A witness on the stand who a lie does tell 
Is almost sure to be damned in hell. 

Prosecutors of men they ought to be pure, 
And when they convict they ought to be sure ; 
Then their conscience would be at ease, 
And would say Amen when on their knees. 

Understand now this is no kind of jaw; 
All that is asked is to comply with the law, 
Just the same I would ask you all to do, 
If 'twas me or mine or even one of you. 

You ought to be certain and know you are 

right, ^ 

Before vou put this man out of sight ; 

[99] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Investigate and see if everything is fair, 
Before you proceed to shut off his air. 

I would say to the jury, the lawyers and all, 
Sooner or later you will all have a call, 
In another place in an unknown land, 
Will before a higher tribunal stand. 

Then you may need some one to plead, 
But not a lawyer there will take any heed; 
But the great big Judge sitting up in the gal- 
lery 
Will attend to the case without any salary. 

Now in this case I am taking no part, 

I only speak the sentiment of my heart ; 

But I hope Caleb Powers will die a natural 

death, 
Then old Kentucky can catch a new breath. 

For this old state in which I feel proud, 

I hope you will not think I have talked too 

loud; 
I hope also for old Kentucky's sake, 
That in this case you'll make no mistake. 



DRUMMERS. 

Oh, if I was a knight of the grip, 
I'd always be out on such a nice trip, 

1 100} 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

I'd give the hotel waiter a tip, 
And oh, the goods I would let slip ! 

With a nice suit case and dressed up fine, 
Fd see no trouble in this life of mine; 
I'd go to bed late, I'd get up at nine, 
I'd care for no bugs on the potato vine. 

I'd ride in a buggy with a fine bay team. 
And life would be a sweet little dream, 
At the fine hotels I'd drink the cream, 
And always be ready my promise to redeem. 

I'd sell some goods at every little store, 
I'd soon get rich, I would never be poor; 
I would meet the merchant at his door, 
And sell him a little or sell him no more. 

So I made a trade with Cowan McClung; 
I wish you had heard the little song I sung. 
It every bit come just out of one lung, 
And oh, my Lord, my rattling tongue ! 

With a man to drive my team all day, 
I thought selling goods was just like play; 
My mouth was full of something to say, 
And then I'd think of the great big pay. 

With my hack-team and driver on the road, 
I gave them a cut and away we goed. 
But the horses tired with such a big load, 
I hadn't sold a thing when the old rooster 
crowed. 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

I left Knoxville with a good big smile, 
We drove up the road in the biggest of style; 
But I learned things fast in just a little while, 
Our hack turned over and we were in a pile. 

Then I began to see I was in pretty deep, 
And all through the night Fd study a heap, 
And then sometimes Fd almost weep, 
I couldn't have felt worse had I stolen a sheep. 

Next day we drove hard and drove till night. 
The weather was cold, the roads were a sight ; 
I was so mad I could almost fight, 
When I come to think I hadn't eat a bite. 

I said next day I would shell the woods, 
I'd break the traces or sell some goods. 
Can I sell you some shawls, some nice little 

hoods? 
But the merchant wouldn't buy, he had took 

the stoods. 

But it was so late I put up for the night, 

I thought next morning I'd come at him right; 

And the way we argued it was a sight, 

No way in the world could I get him to bite. 

I just couldn't sell no where I'd stop. 
But I gave them the best I had in my shop ; 
Sometimes I'd think I was right on top, 
But he would not buy, and my feathers would 
flop. 

[102] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But I just said I would be a drummer, 
I'd sell some goods if it took all summer ; 
And about this time we had a new comer, 
Then I got to be a regular dry goods hummer. 

But drumming is surely one hard life. 
Especially if the drummer has a wife, 
She thinks his work is good and rife, 
But 'tis just one daily toil and strife. 

Among all men they have the hardest way, 
When they go to work they are compelled to 

stay. 
They only have time in the night to play. 
And if anyone does, they earn their pay. 

Some are successful and make good money, 
But in making their sales use a little honey. 
I know one of these they call him Bun or Bun- 

ney, 
But he is pretty solid, he is not much funny. 

About every sixty days he would come around 
With old Schnapps tobacco, good and sound; 
Would sell you one or two hundred pound; 
The merchant would say, I got too much, I'll 
be confound! 

In sixty days again he says I've a bargain to 

drive. 
And I'll do you right as sure as you are alive. 

[103]: 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

If the merchant was dead he'd begin to revive, 
And in about ten minutes he is right in the 
hive. 

But to be a good drummer and successful, too, 
Is just one thing that is hard to do ; 
What I say to you is more or less true : 
Stay in a good humor and never turn blue. 



THE CUCKOO CLOCK. 

Did you ever see a bird called the cuckoo? 
His breast is ash or a pale sky blue ; 
They sing cuckoo, when weary they rest, 
And lay their eggs in another bird's nest. 

We have a clock that is called the cuckoo, 
In its construction it has three weights ; 

'Tis funny to see how it will do, 
Tis the funniest clock in the United States. 

Now I will tell you a nice little tale, 
Just before this clock is ready to strike, 

A door will open, a pretty little quail 
Comes out like a boy riding a bike. 

Every fifteen minutes he comes out to hollow, 
Then he goes back and shuts the door ; 

[The little cuckoo bird will follow. 
When he goes back you hear no more. 
[104] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

This it does every hour in the day, 

Four times every hour the quail comes out, 

A kind of quail and cuckoo play, 

Every hour in the day the cuckoo comes out. 

But this is a day of great invention, 
The man who made it beat old Seth Thomas. 

The little clock draws every one's attention, 
And never does strike a lick and a promise. 

If you understand about the three weights, 
One is for the quail and the little cuckoo ; 

When time to strike it goes all the gaits. 
And opens and shuts the little door too. 

The machinery is very much complicated, 
I'd rather write poetry than make such a 
clock. 

So nice and cute it can't be over-rated, 
I had to write it up or bust my sock. 



THE WORLD IS TURNING ROUND. 

This old world was turning round 
When Adam and Eve ate the fruit ; 

And still she turns on and on, 

And they from the garden had to scoot. 

And when old Noah built the ark, 
And took in two of every kind, 

1105] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

She kept on turning round and round, 

But righteous Noah never changed his mind. 

And when old Joshua was in the war, 
And commanded the sun to stand still, 

It stopped a little while just then. 
The commandment to fulfill. 

But old General Josh was not as wise 
As the Solomons are in our day ; 

He didn't know the world turned round, 
And he told the sun it had to stay. 

Yet, some folks in this old world 
Believes 'tis flat, just like a dollar; 

They cannot see in any other way. 

Because they can't see over their collar. 

And when old Abraham and Lot 

Divided their great possession, 
This world was still turning round, 

And that without the least digression. 

And when Moses led the Israelites 

Out of Egyptian bondage. 
He did not know she was turning around, 

He didn't have sufficient knowledge. 

And when King Pharaoh's host was drowned 
In the waters of the great Red Sea, 

For Pharaoh's host it turned no more. 
But is turning now for you and me. 
[io6] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

And in the seven years of plenty, 

When Joseph brought up all the corn. 

It has turned in all these Bible times, 
And will as long as men are born. 

In all these past dark ages. 

The sun still gave us light ; 
But this old world it never tires, 

Its turning makes the day and night. 

For many generations she has turned, 
Until the year of Christ our Lord, 

And at his death the sun was darkened, 
But on she turned with one accord. 

On down through the Gospel ages 
She has turned, and is turning now ; 

From whence this power that turns it. 
Science has never told us how. 

And when Columbus crossed the ocean, 
This world was turning round and round. 

And when he was about to despair, 
She turned him out upon the ground. 

Since America has been discovered. 
Its rate of turning is just the same, 

And will be the same all the time. 
Until she's one red, burning flame. 

And still she will be turning round, 
When the moon's turning red ; 

[107] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then she will not turn any more, 
And when she stops, she is dead. 



A MOTHER'S DARLING. 

One time I lay down, I dreamed a dream: 
A woman with a baby, I heard it scream ; 
I heard her talking with very much joy, 
She says be still, my little Willie boy ! 

The baby was playing, and its face so white, 
It was such a good baby, it slept all the night, 
And was so quiet all through the day, 
Would sit in his cradle all the time and play. 

The mother would furnish it with all kinds of 

toys. 
And rejoice in all the sweet baby's noise. 
One day his aunt come in to see ; 
She took the little Willie right upon her knee. 

She looked him in the face and then she 

smiled. 
And said to its mother, what a sweet little 

child ! 
She looked at his feet and at his little hand, 
And said that some day he would be a man. 

Then his mother took him for a little while, 
She would kiss her baby, then she'd smile, 
[io8] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

And said her baby was so good and sweet. 
Kissed his hands and his little feet. 

She said he had such pretty blue eyes, 

She believed some day he would reach the 

skies ; 
And said the world with all its money 
Could not buy her Willie, her sweet honey. 

When the boy grew up and went out to play, 
She watched and loved him more every day. 
The boy grew up, and that so very fast, 
Was old enough to go to the school at last. 

But when Willie got out with other boys, 
He would hollow and whoop and make much 

noise; 
Then he would run, throw up his cap, 
And do just like some other little chap. 

Now Willie went to school, he learned so well, 
In a very short time he got so he could spell. 
But while he learned so fast at school, 
He did not like to obey the rule. 

And I saw in my dream this sweet little boy 

Began to lessen his sweet mother's joy ; 

He would play in the house, make a great 

noise, 
And was catching the tricks of other bad boys. 

And would you think such an innocent child 
Would this soon grow so bad and wild ? 
I109] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But this poor little boy was born in sin, 
And never could see the danger he was in. 

He is now a big boy with pretty hair curled, 
Is trying to keep up with the ways of the 

world. 
He was eight years old and very heavy set 
When he began to roll his first cigarette. 

His mother says, Willie, how did you do to- 
day? 

And says, sweet Willie, please mind what I 
say; 

Please don't use cigarettes nor tobacco for fun. 

Then he says, dear mother, I don't use none. 

As he went back to school, his face turning 

red. 
He had told a lie, he remembered what he 

said; 
His conscience hurt, he felt oh so bad. 
And when he come from school he looked so 

sad. 

His mother says, Willie, you look so pale! 

He would try to smile, tell an idle tale; 

He was now old enough and sharp to play a 

trick. 
And says to his mother, I feel a little sick. 

His mother would pet him, lay her hand on 

his head. 
And all he would tell she believed all he said, 
[no] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

This gave her boy a great deal of relief, 
Among all the bad boys he was chief. 

The boy still grew, was large enough now 
To know that the school would keep him from 

the plow ; 
He neglected his books, caught on to the 

tricks, 
Every once in a while get in a bad fix. 

He kept this to himself, his mother couldn't 

tell, 
But his mother thought her boy was doing 

well. 
One day he cussed, gave another boy the lie. 
The other boy struck him, hit him in the eye. 

When he come home his mother saw his eye. 
And says, dear Willie, what is it makes you 

cry? 
Willie he was stubborn and mad enough to 

cuss. 
Then he told his mother he had got in a fuss. 

He said that John Edens had given him the lie, 
I went close to him and he hit me in the eye. 
But I never done a thing to that boy at all ; 
I'll bet I'll kill him between now and fall. 

His mother cried it most broke her heart, 
[Thinking of her boy trying to take his part; 
[III] 



"ALE KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then she got discouraged and began to think 

well, 
Didn't believe everything her boy would tell. 

She found his cigarettes, that's what he de- 
nied; 

Then she went to her room, sit down and 
cried, 

And said, Oh, Lord, what will I do with my 
child? 

I am almost crazy, he's about to run me wild. 

The boy's eye got well, he went to school 

again ; 
But the poor mother suffered as none but a 

mother can. 
All through the day her mind was none the 

best, 
All through the night she lost her sweet rest. 

What will I do with him, God only knows, 
I have worked so hard to keep him in clothes. 
If God had let him died when he was very 

young, 
Oh, my heart is breaking, he may yet be hung. 

I am told he plays cards, uses whiskey, too ; 
How can I stand all this. Oh, what shall I do? 
I thought he'd be a pleasure if he become a 

man. 
But him so wild and crooked, I don't see how 

he can. 

[112] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Religion ought to be the chief concern below, 
Don't you think we ought to tell our children 

so? 
'Tis all mysterious now the ways of God to 

me, 
But if He'll let me live I'll a better woman be. 

When her son come home, she made up her 

mind 
To give him one good lesson and teach him to 

be kind. 
She got the Bible down, a thing he never saw. 
She showed the book to him, told him it was 

God's Law. 

She read about Joseph, also King Pharaoh; 
He listened and asked, do you reckon tha's so? 
She told him he was thirteen years old to-day. 
That she wanted now to teach him how to 
pray. 

She read to him every day, also every night. 

The boy began to think and trying to do right. 

She said she wanted Faith, the kind that would 
save, 

That she might save her boy from a drunk- 
ard's grave. 

The boy was good a while, then he would go 

back; 
Oh, she had a time to keep him on the track. 

[113] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

She read to him daily, taught him in God's 

word, 
But he went about his business as if he hadn't 

heard. 



The mother, discouraged, would sit and cry, 
Sometimes she thought the Bible nothing but 

a lie; 
But when she read of Job and saw what God 

had done. 
She could not help but believe in God's only 

Son. 

She knew that on herself she could not rely, 
She left it all to God it came right bye and 

bye; 
Put her trust in God, believed in his Son, 
And from that day she found the battle won. 

If one should say God is not good, Oh, what 

a shame. 
For all the world I would not forget his name. 
Think of my son redeemed from evil ways, 
And me a better woman in my old days. 

A lesson for mothers I wish them to take: 
Teach a child in its youth, it will not then 

forsake ; 
As soon as it can listen, as soon as it can walk, 
Teach it of its Saviour as soon as it can talk. 

[114] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

If a child is neglected the right way to start, 
Nine times out of ten, 'twill break its mother's 

heart. 
Now please remember just what I've had to 

say, 
Take your little children, kneel down with 

them and pray. 

And when they are old, their hair turning 

gray, 
They will not then forget what mother had to 

say. 
Now poor mother's dead, I hear her voice no 

more; 
But Willie says, I'll meet her on Heaven's 

happy shore. 



DE PO OLE DARKY. 

Oh, the poor old darky, he must work, 

For the young and the old there is no shirk, 

Because he is in a very hard place, 

But are we not free, the slavish race? 

CHORUS. 

Oh, the forty-acre land is the song, 
Them white folks sung to the negro so long. 
They made him a fool about that mule, 
And they think they done no wrong. 
[115] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

The oldest down to the little wee runt, 

All have to work without a grunt, 

If not his choice he has it to do. 

White folks helps with the toe of their shoe. 

Sometimes they call us old black negro, 
Say we are ignorant and cannot figure, 
They tell us to suffer for all our sins, 
And took our children for the gold dust twins. 

Now let us work hard as the devil. 
With them white folks be on a level, 
Send our children to the highest school. 
Pay for the land and the forty acre mule. 

We have a little patch, 'tis all our own, 
Have the hog jole and the cornbread pone, 
We have a little cabin with just one door, 
But the poor old darky does want some more. 

We have the school and our own teachers. 
Also the church and the good colored preachers ; 
And for these houses we pay no rents. 
And preach in peace our own sentiments. 

Mean old white folks told us a He, 
About that mule, the land, and the pie. 
But we'll get there, I know we can, 
Education and work is the negro's plan. 



Iii6] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



NEGRO-DIXIE. 

In de ole slave time when I was born, 
De fust ting I done I hoed de corn, 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for free Ian, 
In freedom's Ian I took my stan, 
To Hve and die a freedom's man, 

Hurrah! Hurrah for free Ian. 

CHORUS. 

In de big free Ian I feel like a man, 

Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
In de big free Ian I feel like a man. 

To live and die in free Ian. 

Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah for free Ian. 

The nigger race have got their rights. 
Are now made equal with the whites, 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for free Ian, 
In a Ian ob cott'n, corn and oil, 
De nigger am free for himse'f to toil — 

Hurrah! hurrah for free Ian. 

CHORUS. 

In de ole slave time we raised de cotton. 
An de good ole massy am not forgotten. 
Hurrah! Hurrah for free Ian, 
t"7] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

But des ole niggers soon must die. 
And go to a home above de sky — 
Hurrah ! Hurrah for free Ian. 

CHORUS. 

Oh, that sweet spirit, heavenly dove, 
Will take me to de Ian I love, 

Hurrah! Hurrah for free Ian. 
Then with my wife and mother-in-law, 
We can live without any jaw. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for free Ian. 

CHORUS. 

Oh, how can I forget de da, 
When we worked an' had no play, 

Hurrah! Hurrah for free Ian; 
But ole Uncle Abe he was de man 
Who has laid all ob dis plan — 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for free Ian. 



SWEET SOUTHLAND; OR, MODERN 
DIXIE. 

In sweet Southland where I was born, 
And drank the juice of the good old corn. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
In time of war, in time of peace, 
[ii8] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Our love for the South will never cease, 
Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

CHORUS. 

In sweet Southland I feel so grand. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
In sweet Southland I feel so grand, 
To live and die in Southland, 

Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah for Southland. 



The sweet Southland, the land I love, 
I will not leave 'til I go above, 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
The warm sunshine to this old man, 
Makes him feel like a boy again. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

Our Southland flows with honey and milk, 
Our ladies wear the finest silk. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
The sweetest flowers perfume the breeze, 
And grandpa hives the working bees. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

Our winter is short and summer is long, 
And plenty of time for a Southland song. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
The children play in the dusty lane. 
While Pa and Ma are raising cane. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
[119] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

From the hovel to the mansion high, 
Everybody lives until they die. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
Oh, sweet Southland, I am told, 
Is worth it's weight in shining gold. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

Our sons and daughters have learned to toil, 
Are plowing up the alluvial soil; 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet S juthland. 
Oh, sweet Southland so warm and bright, 
And she is coming in all her might. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

We do the work our slaves did do. 
Milk our cows and cut wood, too. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
In sweet Southland where cotton is king, 
A mule can live on any old thing. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 

A northern capital coming South, 

And old Yankee Doodle can't open his mouth. 

Hurrah ! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 
Oh, sweet Southland is to the front. 
And the Golden Eagle is not to hunt. 

Hurrah! Hurrah for sweet Southland. 



[120] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



THE DEAR OLD FIDDLE. 

The dear old fiddle, it is my friend — 
It and its music I must defend. 
If it were gone — no fiddle to play — 
Oh, then, how sad would be the day. 

When everybody else would let me be. 
Then my old fiddle would talk to me, 
Would play for me some sweet old song, 
That was in my memory aw^ay so long. 

The tunes I play are not the best. 
But when I am weary they give me rest; 
The music is sweet, it goes to my heart, 
Sometimes it makes a warm tear start. 

Those sweet old songs my father sung, 
Makes me think of when I w^as young, 
Could I call that time back once more, 
I'd lay down and roll over the floor. 

The dear old fiddle does love to tell. 
Those sweet old songs I love so well. 
Sweet, because they were learned in youth, 
I play on the string it tells me the truth. 

How can I let my sweet fiddle go, 
The dear old fiddle, the sweet old bow, 

[121] 



''ALL KINDS'^ OF GEMS 

They lay so close, so near my heart, 
I never will with neither part. 

Before I go down to my grave, 
I'll give some one my fiddle to save, 
And keep until his time shall end, 
Then give it to his best friend. 

I'll never forget its sweetest song. 
Had it a soul I'd take it along, 
But it has no soul, only a bow. 
And this being true, it cannot go. 

When my time comes and I must go, 
To a country where none of us know. 
Where so^gs are sweet, will never get old. 
The music be made on strings of gold. 



KING CREDIT'S DEAD. 

Old King Credit is laid in the shade, 
His body ready for the pick and spade, 
Before he left this weary life. 
He willed to me his barlow knife. 

On the account of credit he could will no more. 
And I laid it away in my country store, 
And when I'd see the old rusty blade, 
I'd think of his body under the shade. 

[122] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

When I started to merchandise, 

They said old Credit would open my eyes, 

In about six months, with eye teeth cut, 

My eyes were opened and could not be shut. 

I'll shed no tears over his new grave, 

But I'll go to the barber's and get a shave, 

I don't suppose any one would sorrow, 

If he is not buried till day after to-morrow. 

Now, you may not listen to what I say, 
But I sell goods when I get the pay, 
Old King Credit is not in my way. 
And where he's gone I hope he'll stay. 



MORNING GLORIES. 

I want to tell you a little story. 

Now what I tell is no lie, 
'Tis all about the morning glory. 

The richest glory beneath the sky. 

The morning glory is the prettiest glory I 
ever saw— one good thing about them is when 
they get done glorying they shut up. Now if 
we could do that it would be much better 
for us. 

Two little girls, named Willie and Sue, 
One day they had nothing else to do. 
[123] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

They went out to hunt morning glories, 
And while they were out they told little 
stories. 

Says Willie to Sue: "Does you knows what 
these is?" "Yes, Willie, I does." "What is 
they. Sue?" "Why, I guess they is morning 
glories. It's a wonder I knowed 'em, ain't it, 
Willie?" "Yes, 'tis. I heard pa tell ma that 
he gloried in her spunk, the other day, and I'll 
bet this is where he got 'em." 

"Oh, Willie, you are getting all the blue 
ones — let me have some." "Willie, you better 
not pull all of them off, pa might want to glory 
in ma's spunk again." "Sue, you ain't no 
sense ; pa was just a talking." "I know he was 
talking, for I heard him say it." "Well, he 
don't think about morning glories." "Well, I 
know he does — le's go, Willie ; we done got 
enough now." "Alright, Sue ; I've got enough 
to make me a big flower pot." 

Now, when you see morning glories, remem- 
ber you were created for God's glory, there- 
fore glorify Him in this life. When 3'ou think 
of your birth, give Him the glory. When you 
have joy or grief, give Him the glory. What- 
ever may be your condition in life, give Him 
the glory. And when your life shall end, give 
Him the glory. And in the Eternal gloryland 
you will still be able to give Him the glory. 



[124] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Most any of us can tell a little story, 
None but God can make a morning glory. 



MAN AND BIRDS. 

God made birds to sing for man, 
But man was made to sing for God ; 

Poor little birds do the best they can, 
They need no correction of the rod. 

Birds fill the place for which they were made, 
But God told man in so many words, 

While we poor mortals rest in the shade, 
That man is better than all the birds. 

The birds have plenty, they do not lack. 
They do not work and do not spin; 

In the ranks of men there's a lazy pack, 
And laziness is the worst of sin. 

When day is breaking or begins to dawn, 
The little birds raise their mellow voice ; 

But man will wake and give a yawn, 
While in the Lord he should rejoice. 

The sweet little birds know not a sin. 
Their music's sweet as far as it goes ; 

But poor fallen man, the fix he is in, 
Sin and folly is all he knows. 

[125] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



THE CRICKET. 

I sat down in the woods one day, alone, 
And all I could hear was a cricket; 
I had a pin in the string of my apron, 
I thought I'd take that pin and stick it, 
I mean the cricket. 

Just where he was, I could not see ; 
I looked everywhere, I couldn't see the cricket. 
At last I thought I saw a leaf shake, 
I could hear him plain in the thicket, 
I mean the cricket. 

I slipped as easy, looked under that leaf, 
But I couldn't see or find the cricket; 
I thought then I had done lost him, 
I put away my pin, I thought I wouldn't 
stick it, 

I mean the cricket. 

I just sat still and he jumped in my lap, 
It scared me but I just kept my seat. 
Then I reckon he must have saw my pin. 
He jumped again, he went twenty feet, 
I mean the cricket. 

If he was to come back I wouldn't stick him, 
I was very glad he got away; 

[126] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

I'll go back down to the house, 
He'll come back about next day, 
I mean the cricket. 



THE GRASS-HOPPER. 

The fifteenth of October, 12 o'clock in the day. 
Two grass-hoppers met and something to say, 
Good morning, Bill grass-hopper, good morn- 
ing, Jim, 
Billie says to the other, what makes you so 
grim? 

Then Jim says. Jack Frost scared me some. 
Billie says, do you think your time has come? 
You are very wise to see so far ahead, 
I do wish old Jack Frost was dead. 

Jim says, I slept last night in a straw stack, 
This morning I waked up, there was Jack. 
Billie says, I slept in a dry fodder shock, 
And I never got up till ten o'clock. 

Jim says. Jack Frost, the enemy of our souls, 
Would find us even in auger holes ; 
Soon you see there must be something done, 
But we could not fight him with a gatling gun. 

What will we do with Jack, anyway, 
Our legislature don't meet till next May? 
[127] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then Bill he hopped up and said: 
By that time we will all be dead. 

It may be our legislature can pass an act 
That will do away with old Jack. 
The children, like us, may not take warning, 
Until it comes a big frosty morning. 

Jim says, I expect we had better emigrate. 
Can't go by express, we can hop on a freight. 
In Florida they say is a warm sunny clime, 
IVe wished I was there many a time. 

But we don't know which way to start. 
And none of our connection is so smart. 
So I guess we'll stay just where we are, 
And live as long as the weather is fair. 

Our time will be short, we soon must die, 
My wings are so heavy I can hardly fly ; 
The night is coming, I am taking a chill, 
'Tis my last night, Good bye, brother Bill. 

But we have a new home that is far away, 
Where grass is green and don't decay. 
And all the days are bright and fair. 
And old Jack Frost cannot come there. 



[128] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



THE BUTTERFLY. 

Oh, the beautiful, fairy butterfly. 
And to think how soon it must die; 
Created to show God's mighty power, 
It lives a month, a week, an hour. 

There are many kinds and colors, too — 
Red and white, black and blue. 
Can they think and hear and smell? 
,What do they eat; can anyone tell? 

And now, can anyone tell me why 

These things are called the butterfly? 

I never did see any of their butter. 

But when Fd catch one he'd churn and flutter. 

All butterflies will light in the mud, 
Then fly high and light on a bud. 
And there they'd sit and sip and sip. 
But if you catch one he'll give you the slip. 

Now, Mr. Butterfly, FU bid you good-bye. 
You left me and have gone so high 
I may not get to see you again. 
But next time Fll catch you if I can. 



[[129] 



*ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



THE JUNE BUG. 

June bug sitting on a blackberry vine, 
Blacking his shoes, just making them shine. 
He comes from a grub under the ground. 
And with his wings makes a Junish sound. 

The little boys catch and tie with a string, 
Then whirl him around to hear him sing. 
If his leg pulls off your June bug's free. 
And he's done gone in a high apple tree. 

If the apples are ripe, mellow and sweet. 
He'll sit on an apple and eat and eat. 
He will eat a hole into the core, 
And then crawl in and eat some more. 

To the old hum bug he's not a bit a kin. 
And never was known to commit a sin. 
Of all the bugs he is one of the best. 
Nobody can say he's a bad pest. 

But a June bug's life is short indeed. 
And the old hen pecks him off the weed. 
If this life is all the one he's got 
He's a little bit better than a drunken sot. 



i[i3o] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



THE LIGHTNING BUG. 

The lightning bug has plenty of light to spare. 

In May or June, when the night is dark, 
You may see him floating in the dusky air. 

About every three feet he'll give you a spark. 

I have seen the woods and fields with them 
shine. 
There were hundreds and thousands, maybe 
more, 
A beautiful sight 'twas just so fine. 
They even came in my country store. 

They think they supply the world with light, 
And if it 'twas not for them we couldn't see, 

Thousands together, a beautiful sight. 
It always did look so nice to me. 

One time I caught a lightning bug, 

I thought I'd keep him till next day ; 
I put him in a nice glass mug, 

The little fool thing didn't want to stay. 

# 
Now while the thing is on my mind 

I want to tell you a nice little joke. 
Next morning I went, my bug to find. 

And don^t you think that mug was broke. 

[131] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Sure as you are here and my name is John, 
That mug was broke all into pieces, 

The lightning was there the bug was gone, 
And one less mug among our dishes. 

If lightning bug, lightning does this kind of 
striking, 

I will not with that kind of a bug play, 
Everybody else can do to their liking, 

I am sure to keep out of their way. 

These lightning bugs don't care where they 
go, 

Sometimes they fly mighty high. 
Not so high but what they come low, 

When they lose their lightning they die. 



THE INDUSTRIOUS HEN. 

The pride of this country is the industrious 

hen. 
Raised by the women for the benefit of men. 
The eggs she lays are taken to the store, 
And, oh, the help they are to the poor. 

From a one-pound fryer until she is old, 
She is good to eat and as current as gold. 
Will sit and hatch a whole lot of chicks. 
And the money they bring buys a good many 
tricks. 

[132] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

About this hen some facts I'll give, 
Was it not for her some folks couldn't live, 
When they run short of something to eat, 
The industrious hen will furnish them meat. 

She forages for a living, eats up the trash, 
And her eggs are the nearest thing to cash. 
Then each of the girls can buy them a dress, 
If prices are high or a little bit less. 

Sometimes furnishes both meat and bread. 
And the little boys' hats to put on their head. 
She buys soda, sugar, a little bit of tea, 
Pins, buttons, needles and some coffee. 

And w^hen the w^omen w^ant to bake. 
She lays the eggs to put in the cake ; 
Then when our friends give us a call. 
She furnishes eggs to feed them all. 

She pays for overalls and a jacket. 
Which the children will have or have a racket, 
If she gets no account or a little bit old. 
She is taken to the poultry man and sold. 

The eggs we sell and the few we eat. 

Would bring more money than the corn and 

wheat ; 
Now, if this old hen is well looked after. 
She will almost beat the infernal grafter. 

So don't you know 'twill pay us then, 
To keep on raising the industrious hen, 
U33] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

She is worth so much to the industrious 

farmer, 
He should fix her a place so nothing can harm 

her. 

And when she has done all these good things, 
We'll save her feathers, also her wings ; 
The industrious hen, the poor old creature, 
We cook her at last for the Methodist preacher. 



HONEY BEES. 

A swarm of bees in March is worth a pound 
of starch. 

A swarm of bees in April is worth a hand saw 
file. 

A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of 
hay. 

A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver 
spoon. 

A swarm of bees in July is worth a peck of rye. 

A swarm of bees in August is worth a pound 
of sawdust. 

A swarm of bees in September, I don't remem- 
ber. 

God made bees and bees made honey, 
Now you may think this is a little bit 
strange, 

1I134], 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But God made man and man made money, 
And this was done that we might have 
change. 

The little honey bees, they fly in the trees, 
And gather honey all the day long, 

They work while it is light, return home at 
night. 
And while they work, smg a sweet song. 

The industrious bee is not like me, 

His habits in that line have done been told. 

The honey so sweet for children to eat, 
Tis almost worth its weight in gold. 

But if they wore pants, the honey bees and 
ants, 
It wouldn't be worth while to say any more, 
For then they could use, I can't, for excuse, 
If man will work like a bee he will not be 
poor. 



THE MOLE. 

The mole is an animal I know but little about, 
He is always underground, I can't catch him 

out. 
You have to be sly if you catch him in his hole, 
When you do catch him, he's as slick as a 

mole. 

[135], 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

His nose is as tough as the nose of a hog, 
But you never find a mole in a hollow log, 
His hands or paws are flat and tough, 
He will eat potatoes till he gets enough. 

I've heard of things as slick as a mole. 
But I never saw one as black as a coal. 
But they have as fine fur as ever was made. 
They can't stand the sun, but darkness and 
shade. 

He roots underground, pushes up the dirt. 
When he hears a little noise he goes like a 

flirt. 
When the ground is wet he can dig the best, 
When 'tis frozen hard, he stays in his nest. 

He lives on vegetables, roots and bark. 

And can see how to get them, even in the 

dark. 
But he has no eyes and ears that you can see, 
But if I was that way it wouldn't suit me. 



THE RACCOON. 

There is nothing meaner than a pet raccoon. 
And them that's wild are not much good. 

They have no signs like us in the moon. 
But they would be wiser if they could. 

[136] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

He has four legs and rings on his tail. 
And dips up water in his paws to drink, 

He makes some dogs carry the mail, 

He's a better fighter than you would think. 

Their skins are fine for gloves and fur, 

They bring good money for those who trap. 

Have hard fights with the old yellow cur, 
They killed one that belonged to pap. 

He lives on crawfishes, worms and bugs, 
And always wading around in the water, 

A pet one will wipe his feet on the rugs. 
With his claws in the crack pull out, the 
mortar. 

There is nothing they love better than corn, 
They go to the field, eat it while green, 

And as mean a varmint as ever was born, 
With the sharpest teeth you ever seen. 



THE OPOSSUM. 

The opossum is black or a little bit gray. 
He travels all night and hides all day. 
Through the night is his time to prowl. 
There is nothing can beat a 'possum to growl. 

He lives mostly in old hollow logs. 
And is always trying to dodge the dogs; 
1^371 



"ALE KINDS" OF GEMS 

He climbs the fence and walks the rail, 
To keep the dogs from smelling his trail. 

Some eat 'possum and say 'tis fine, 
But I never cared for any in mine. 
'Tis nice and fat, the meat is sweet. 
And many people say it can't be beat. 

One went under a stump in the ground, 
And then I pushed the old stump down, 
Now what I say may make you smile, 
Eleven little 'possums lay in a pile. 

But we eat the 'possum and use the hides 
For ladies' gloves and things besides. 
We use the fur, put the hides to tan, 
All are used for the benefit of man. 



THE FAMILY COW. 

Do you always think of the family cow. 
When you go to feed the pigs and the sow? 
You should not forget to feed her a bite. 
And put her in a dry place at night. 

And when there comes a cold winter day, 
You should put her in the stall with hay. 
If you want her to do the best she can, 
Give her salt with a little bit of bran. 
[138] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

We should always be kind to poor old Brin, 
If we treat her bad her milk's so thin, 
But if you feed her like you do your team, 
Her milk is thick and just like cream. 

Keep her in the dry and feed her well. 
You'll have butter to eat and butter to sell, 
She'll give plenty of milk and buttermilk, too, 
The milk nor the butter will ever be blue. 

Then when she gets old we come to her relief, 
With meal and pumpkins feed her for beef. 
Then we turn her beef into hash, 
And sell the hide and tallow for cash. 



THE HOG. 

The life of the hog is a very short span. 
That's one reason why he's a kin to man. 
When a man gets in a terrible rage. 
That's a part of the hog sausage. 

But just as certain as falling off a log, 

Man is surely a kin to the hog, 

One thing makes a man so mean. 

When he was a boy he picked out the lean. 

Don't you believe we would live hard. 
Was it not for the hog and his lard, 
But hog was created for us all to eat. 
We clean up the head and also the feet. 
[139] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

I knew a man once by the name of Jones, 
They said he would eat hog bones. 
But old man Johnson, he never did fail, 
Every chance he got, he would eat the tail. 

When a man gets mad and gives you the lie, 
You may know he has eaten some backbone 

pie. 
But if hog meat made me do that way, 
I would only eat one little piece in a day. 

I've heard some say to eat hog was a sin, 
But that I thought was a little too thin. 
The hog was intended for all to eat, 
And of course you know we will have meat. 

I wouldn't be a hog for nothing in the world, 
With hair on my back and my tail curled. 
Wallowing in the mud, eating up the slop. 
And ready to be killed at the end of the crop. 

Sometimes a man's a hog in one way or an- 
other. 

He's a big hog when he tries to cheat his 
brother. 

If a man just lives on hog all the time, 

He is almost sure to commit some crime. 

A hog will eat corn so will a man. 

But man eats the meal and the hog eats the 

bran. 
When man eats the hog he gets bran and all. 
Then we eat ground hog late in the fall. 
[140] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But if we had no hog* we'd live mighty tough, 
So I thank the Lord we've got hog enough, 
Now this old hog is so close to me, 
I believe Fll quit and just let him be. 



CATS. 

I have written of this and wrote of that, 
Now, I'll write you about the cat. 
Some cats are black and some are white, 
All cats will run about at night. 

Some cats are yellow and some are gray, 
But most all cats do love to play; 
Some cats are mean and some are good, 
Pa killed our cat with a stick of wood. 

If you kill a cat some say it comes back. 
But I tell you now this is not a fact. 
When in combat the fur will fly, 
And the one that's wounded will give a cry. 

I'll tell you another thing most cats will do, 
If you love them they will love you, too. 
Will sit on your lap and purr so mild, 
And just as innocent as a little child. 

They will catch birds, also a mouse, 
And love to sleep on the hearth in the house. 
They will catch rats, also a cricket. 
Lie down, take a nap out in the thicket, 
[141], 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

A cat is a thing children love to see, 
The pretty little kits, they can't let them be. 
They catch the kits and with them play, 
And time does slip so fast away. 

We had an old cat, pa called him Bob, 
You could hear him mew a mile on the knob. 
He got fast one time under the barn door. 
After that he never mewed any more. 

Cats have four legs, I've seen some with two. 
No telling what two-legged ones will do. 
We had a mean cat, she'd suck eggs. 
But no meaner than the one with two legs. 

You may take a black cat into the dark. 
Stroke his back, see how he'll spark. 
You will hear a crackling, it's electricity. 
Catch you a cat and try it, you will see. 

Many kinds of cats in the world you bet, 

I have seen them so plenty, they had cats to 

let. 
But I must quit and let them alone, 
I hear one in the kitchen gnawing a bone. 



DOODLES— OLD POODLE AND 
NOODLES. 

Little Willie and Sue went to hunt Doodles, 
And ma for dinner she made noodles, 
[142] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

The chance of finding Doodles was slim, 

When we called Doodle, 

There stood old Poodle, 
He thought we were calling him. 

The doodles, they didn't want to come, 
But we were determined to find some, 
We called Doodle pretty loud. 

And little old Poodle, 

Would dance Yankee Doodle, 
It made him feel awful proud. 

In calling Doodles, it sounded so funny, 

We told them to come out, 'twas bright and 

sunny, 
We would call loud, then call very low, 

Little old Poodle, 

Would watch for the Doodle, 
He thought they were coming mighty slow. 

About twelve o'clock I thought of ma's 

noodles, 
And we had done caught a whole lot of 

Doodles, 
And little Sue had gone on ahead, 
I dropped a Doodle, 
And that little old Poodle, 
Jumped on the thing and killed it dead. 

Then I ran, caught up with little Sue, 
I told her what old Poodle would do. 
And she said some of hers had got away, 

[143] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And there stood old Poodle, 
Watching for a Doodle, 
We told him to wait till some other day. 

When we got home we sat down to rest, 

We told ma we had found their nest, 

Ma took up the noodles, we sat down to dine. 

Willie says. Old Poodle 

Has eat one Doodle, 
He's not going to get any more of mine. 

I was hungry and I wanted a noodle. 

Ma said when we were done she's feed Poodle, 

Then ma told us to hush up and eat. 

Now we had Noodles, 

One Poodle and Doodles, 
So you see our dinner was hard to beat. 

I was hungry and swallowed many a noodle. 
And ma was thinking about feeding old 

Poodle, 
Somehow or some way, she made a mistake, 

She picked up the Doodles, 

Instead of the Noodles, 
Took her hand and gave them a rake. 

I had drunk my milk, was setting down my 

cup, 
I saw that ma had things mixed up. 
She was looking around, didn't know what to 
do, 
And little old Poodle 
[144] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Was eating a Doodle, 
He was about to clean them all up, too. 

Well, I was so mad I could hardly spit, 
I told ma she ought not to have done it. 
You see ma got Doodle mixed up with Noodle. 

She didn't know Doodles, 

And she didn't know Noodles, 
And she didn't hardly know old Poodle. 

I was looking at ma, she had a red face. 

She said next time any Doodles come on this 

place. 
That she was going to Doodle somebody's 
head. 
She said she'd whip old Poodle, 
And the whole caboodle. 
Now that's just exactly what she said. 



THE MIND OF MAN. 

The mind of man is never still, 
Its like the water that turns the mill. 
And as the water flows on and on, 
So does the mind when man is gone. 

Everything on this earth combined, 
Cannot destroy the human mind. 
Shut your eyes, the mind still goes, 
None on earth but one that knows. 
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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

When all on earth has vanished away, 
The mind can go or it can stay, 
The body dead, to dust it's gone, 
The precious mind is traveling on. 

It can think of good and evil, too. 
No one knows what the mind can do. 
Without the use of legs or wings, 
It does out travel all mortal things. 

Only one place the mind can rest, 
And that is on the Saviour's breast. 
Was it not true, he gave the mind 
A resting place it never could find? 



PHOTOGRAPHY. 

There is one thing about Photography, 
That to save my life I never could see. 
You may be going one mile per minute, 
The dog-gone thing would catch you in it. 

While Niagara was cutting it's biggest caper, 
Photography snatched it and put it on paper, 
A train is running at it's highest speed, 
'Tis taken in full if you just get a bead. 

But the hardest thing for an artist yet, 
Is to take a picture of some little pet, 

[146] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

To keep him still he gives him his knife, 
He'd much rather take a man and his wife. 

A young man comes dressed up so nice, 
And wants a picture for his Juice-spice, 
When the artist was ready and taking sight. 
He says hold on, there's a hair not right. 

Now, old Mrs. Jones she didn't care. 
She was not particular about a hair. 
But the negative taken it did not suit, 
See, down there I stuck out my foot. 

You sit in a chair he takes a snap-shot, 
You can't feel a thing but he hits the spot. 
The picture finished, you pay his price. 
He tells you 'tis pretty, you say it's nice. 

They call it a camera or some kind of lens. 
Like a box that hatches chicks without hens. 
Except the camera sits on three legs. 
And in making your picture don't use eggs. 

One thing about it you can't deny. 

It is like George Washington, it won't tell a 

lie. 
If you sit a little crooked, not up straight. 
You will be the same when seen on the plate. 

But the man who runs this artful machine, 
Gets in a dark place where he can't be seen, 

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*'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And there he will stay till he wants to come 

out, 
And you never can tell what he is about. 

The name of the man is John C. Moore, 

I cannot believe he'll ever die poor. 

His work is good, he tries to please all, 

But he never does wait for his pay in the fall. 



A POOR RICH MAN. 

If I could help a fellow mortal. 

If I could only give him aid, 
Then when I'd reach that Heavenly Portal, 

I would feel that I was paid. 

I cannot draw on my banker here. 
For my account with him is blank, 

But then I have a friend so dear, 
To him I'm pleased to give a thank. 

The kind of riches I have in stock, 

Is the kind that cannot be lost. 
For they are solid as the rock, 

And no one knows what they cost. 

They will last me through eternal time, 
Which only makes them multiply. 

And in a different, sweeter clime, 
My soul shall live and never die. 

[148] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



THE TWO SUNS. 

I watched the sun arise this morning, 
And in my heart was glad to know, 

There is a Son who rules above, 

The same who rules all things below. 

I watched the sun and just at noon. 
When all the people stopped to rest. 

And when they sat at their repast. 

Some would curse while others blessed. 

I watched the sun when the day was done, 

Gloried in his beautiful rays. 
Was glad to know some folks below. 

Had not forgot his Son to praise. 

This Son will shine one more morning. 
He is sure to come just one time more, 

Let all prepare in peace to meet him. 
And be restored on Eden's shore. 



THE DESTINY OF MAN. 

As sure as man has got a brain. 
So sure he'll die and suffer pain, 
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*'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

No need for him to die in vain, 
Because the Lord will come to reign. 

So sure as man goes in the grave, 
He has a body and soul to save. 
For God has said his soul shall rise, 
And meet the Judge beyond the skies. 

As sure as day succeeds the night. 
He'll take the left or take the right. 
For there is not another way, 
For him to leave this earthly clay. 

Sure as the sun lights up the day. 
So sure does God light up the way, 
We would not be able to count the cost, 
If in the end our souls were lost. 

So let us not this light despise. 
But let us try to win the prize. 
If we be good, if we be wise. 
We'll save our souls which never dies. 



NEGLIGENCE. 

While our hearts are young without sin. 
Before our souls are stained with crime, 

We should give to God all our strength, 
For this is a most precious time. 

[150] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

If you should by this warning pass, 
And should forget and go astray, 

There never will be a time in life, 

That will fill the place that's passed away. 

And still the Saviour calls to you, 
While in your ways of petty sin. 

Now, you should heed and warning take, 
Resign yourself and let him in. 

Now, your manhood's sweet life has come, 
You say I have no time to lose, 

The conscience, too, is getting numb, 
And you have much less time to choose. 

You've come at last to old age, 

And still have not a change of heart, 

This is so sad in ending life. 

It makes the soul with sorrow smart. 



OBEYING CONSCIENCE. 

Poor mortal man must live and learn, 
His actions hard to control ; 

God who loves him hears his prayer, 
Is ever mindful of his soul. 

Entangled with the cares of life, 
He means to live and do the right, 

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^'ALL KINDS'' OF GEMS 

But in his toil for worldly wealth, 
He may succeed with all his might. 

Let conscience ever be your guide, 
It is the best, the surest plan ; 

When you are sad with troubled mind, 
He will tell you where to stand. 

Souls are wrecked with suicide, 

Because the conscience was so low. 

If you will listen to his voice, 

He will tell you which way to go. 



CHRIST'S SECOND COMING. 

Hail ! the Redeemer of man, ^ 
Who for all our sins was slain. 

He has promised to come again, 
And a thousand years to reign. 

The time is now close at hand. 
We will in his kingdom shine. 

Let us be ready, understand, 
When we see so plain the sign. 

His saints are all that shall rule; 

The wicked shall be taken away ; 
The earth no more God's foot stool, 

In that glorious and happy day. 

[152] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Every day, be a day of joy, 
Every day a day of peace. 

Every day in God's employ, 
Every day our love increase. 



FAITH AND HOPE. 

Thank the Lord, he's prepared a place, 
For a toiling soul that's run its race. 
It gives me peace, sweet comfort, too, 
When I feel in my heart this is true. 

I know that I am a worm of the dust, 
But in the Lord I put my trust. 
Some time I will be laid away. 
In the dark grave, in the cold clay. 

I'll need no pillow under my head. 
People will hear my funeral read. 
In a short time I will be forgotten, 
My flesh and cofiin, both be rotten. 

The world will wag as it always did. 
But only Christ can lift the lid. 
Of him who lies in the silent grave, 
Christ alone has the power to save. 



1 153] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



CHARITY. 

Charity like the precious mind, 
Lives forever, is always kind, 
It never lessens, but multiplies. 
And reaches far beyond the skies. 

It eases the pain of many a soul. 
Brings the donor nearer his goal. 
Acts of Charity, bright and brighter, 
Make our burdens light and lighter. 

The Bible teaches us what is best. 

Says that Charity is above the rest. 

Of all the commandments that are made, 

Charity is of the very best grade. 

Like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, 
Or like a woman who's lost her thimble, 
So is a man without charity, 
And I hope 'tis a few there be. 

Let us all be charitable unto all. 
Help our brother if he should fall, 
And this will give a hope of peace. 
And blessed joy that'll never cease. 



[154] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



JESUS CALLED ME. 

When I was steeped in sin, 
When I was deep in crime, 

Then thou didst call me, 
And called me in good time. 

When I was drifting away, 
From my friends and my home. 

Thou, Jesus, didst call me. 
And called me till I come. 

When I was sick in bed. 
When I suffered with pain. 

Then thou didst call me. 
And called me again. 

When my last moment's gone, 
Cold sweat is on my brow. 

Then Jesus will call me, 
He is calling me now. 



SOME DAY WE WILL HAVE A HOME. 

I am so poor in this life 
And I hardly have a joy, 
[155] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

All my time is taken up, 
In some other one's employ. 
Oh ! some day, Oh ! some day ! 
Some day we will have a home. 

I mow the grass, cut the corn, 

Also weary with the plow, 
I'll get through the world at last, 

But I cannot tell you how. 

Oh! some day, Oh! some day! 

Some day we will have a home. 

Without a home, house or land. 

For daily bread I do my best, 
And when the sweet Sabbath comes, 

I hardly then can have a rest. 

Oh! some day. Oh! some day! 

Some day we will have a home. 

Not many friends follow me; 

When I am dead and laid away, 
I have a promise of a home. 

In that great and Judgment day. 

Oh! some day. Oh! some day! 

Some day we will have a home. 



PEACE THAT LASTS. 

When I rejoice in Jesus' name, 
And when I sing his song, 

[156] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

It gives me peace within my mind, 
A peace that lasts so long. 

He lets his sun shine on me, 

As if I had done no wrong, 
Makes me glad, gives me strength, 

A peace that lasts so long. 

How much the Lord hath done for me, 

No one on earth doth know, 
His spirit many blessings give, 

A peace that lasts me so. 

Oh, let us not forget his name. 

That lasts forever more. 
Then when the Lord takes life away, 

Sweet peace will be in store. 



BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. 

Come, sinners, to the open gate, 
'Tis better late than never. 

Don't put it off so long, so late, 
'Tis better late than never. 

Oh ! come to God with love and fear, 
'Tis better late than never. 

To-morrow you may not be here, 
'Tis better late than never. 

[157] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Come because God's given warning, 
'Tis better late than never, 

'Tis best to come in life's morning, 
'Tis better late than never. 

He who comes at the hour of eleven, 
'Tis better late than never, 

Shall have the same as him at seven, 
'Tis better late than never. 

Thank him for his word to guide us, 
'Tis better late than never, 

Mercy on all that do deride us, 
'Tis better late than never. 

You will not come unless you try, 
'Tis better late than never, 

Don't put it of¥ for people die, 
'Tis better late than never. 



JOHN BAILEY'S LOVE STORY. 

When I was young, my body full of life and 
vigor, I saw the ideal of my heart. I looked 
upon her white skin, her sparkling eyes, her 
beautiful hair, her well-formed body — she 
looked as pure to me as the gold from the 
refiner's hands. Then I said to myself, 
"Where did that angel come from," the an- 
swer came back to my heart, God created her 

[158] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

for me. Then I thought, what would I do 
with her if I had her and could not keep her 
pure as she is now. Then I thought, if I can 
get her I will keep her good and pure at all 
hazards of my own life, knowing that if I was 
able to do this I would be the happiest man in 
this round world. But I was a little afraid I 
could not do this and then all of this blissful 
love for her would vanish, then I would be 
worse off than if I had never seen her at all. 
But my love for her would not abate, but 
grew to enormous proportions, that it was so 
blissful that there is not words to express it. 
Then I was determined to end the conflict, 
for it was a heated one with me and must 
come to an end one way or another. We had 
walked and talked together for some time, but 
I had never as yet mentioned my love for her, 
but I said to-day I will tell her and let the 
burden fall from my heart. And so I did. I 
asked her if she believed that God created the 
woman for the man, and she said that that 
was what the Bible said about it. Then I 
asked her if she believed the Bible; she said 
yes. Then I says you are the one he created for 
me. She asked me if I was sure of that. I 
said yes, for nothing on the earth will satisfy 
me but you. Then she says, "If you are hon- 
est in this matter let it be true." I felt a little 
like God did when he said, "Let there be light 
and there was light." And I told her it should 
be true. Then I kissed her for the first time 

[159] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

in life. That kiss melted my soul, and my 
heart beat as the young rabbit's heart beats 
when you run him down and catch him in 
your arms, more than two hundred beats to 
the measure. 

Oh! the influence that little angel had over 
me, but she did not know it. Everything was 
lost to me but her. There was nothing on or 
under the earth that I would not have given 
for her if I could have obtained it in any way 
whatever. Still she did not know it. (Dh ! I 
repeat, the influence a good woman has over 
a man. God created man first but he soon saw 
that man by himself was no account, so he 
devised a way to make a wife for Adam. He 
caused Adam to go to sleep, then he took a 
rib out of Adam's side, and made a woman out 
of it, and gave her to Adam for a wife. So 
you see man was asleep when woman was 
created and knew not where she come from. 
But Adam accepted her for his wife because 
there was none other to accept. So this mar- 
riage was legal and instituted by God and 
should be as all legal marriages, never be put 
asunder or annulled, only for the one cause, 
adultery. But the devil can do it for any cause. 

When joined together they are one. Man is 
a compound being, his soul, his body, and his 
wife makes the three parts he is composed of. 
It takes these three parts to make the com- 
pound being that will never die. After Adam 
and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by dis- 

[160] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

obeying God, then God put a curse upon the 
serpent and upon Eve and upon Adam. The 
curse upon the serpent was for tempting Eve, 
and consisted of having to go upon its belly 
and eat dust all its days; the curse upon Eve 
for tempting Adam was that she should be 
ruled by her husband all the days of her life; 
the curse upon Adam for obeying his wife, 
was that he should eat bread by the sweat of 
his face and that the land should bring forth 
briers, thorns and thistles. Yet, there are 
some men who are born a fool. They are the 
only ones their wives should rule. 

But, I must get back to John Bailey. Our 
marriage was to come off soon, but I will give 
you a line or two of poetry here : 

I will tell you as fine a truth, 
As ever was written on a page, 

If you love your wife in youth, 
You'll love her more in age. 

Love is the best soul in this life. 
Next to his soul should be his wife, 
The marriage life is intended to be. 
Of Heaven's home a fac-simile. 

But marriage a failure you can tell. 
The constituent parts of a little hell. 
No love, no home, not a quiet meal. 
Burdens and sorrow and no appeal. 
From such a place God deliver me. 
ri6il 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now, as I said, our engagement was on and 
did not come off for six months. During that 
time I worked as hard as ever any one did to 
get money and to make all preparations proper 
for the wedding. At the same time I did not 
miss seeing my affianced every week during 
that time. 

My work and her was all I knew anything 
about. Her parents were not much willing for 
the marriage, yet, they did not object, but let 
us make our own preparations. We were 
married December twenty-fifth, eighteen hun- 
dred and ninety-five, and we just agreed to 
have a nice Christmas dinner and get married. 
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. 
H. Devine, a Presbyterian minister. After the 
ceremony was over we took a bridal tour, vis- 
iting Washington City, Philadelphia, Balti- 
more and New York. At this season of the 
year we would not enjoy it like we would in 
summer or autumn, yet, I will say, it was 
lovely and satisfactory to both of us. Then we 
come home and settled in a little home of our 
own for the struggle, either to be a blissful 
one or one of sadness and woe. But I want to 
tell you, this has been a happy life, as you 
will see, and it can be made such by any one 
who will try to make it such. Now, I want to 
tell you how in poetry, then I will go on in 
prose. 

This is a sample of John Bailey's happi- 
ness: 

[162] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

When a man and his wife are one, 
No happier pair is under the sun, 
Both alike, must be and see, 
Then they will in peace agree. 

There was a man, and Lizzie, his wife, 
They lived a sweet and happy life, 
A fuss in the family was never known, 
Because discord had not been sown. 

The first day of their married life, 
They there agreed to have no strife. 
And as their family did increase. 
They lived the more in perfect peace. 

They worked together to each other's hand, 
And lived in peace upon the land. 
They labored through the live long day, 
And smiled to see their children play. 

Worked in the day, slept sweet at night, 
And always tried and done the right, 
Their children went to the common school 
But learned at home the Golden Rule. 

They were taught all things, the very best 

way, 
And with their work they had some play. 
Were taught to love their neighbor, too. 
And everything else that was good to do. 

I remember well the two old folks, 

IWere a little suspicious about telling jokes. 

[163] 



^'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

A lovely match, both good and true, 
And neither one did ever turn blue. 

'Twas known of all the nearest neighbors, 
That God did bless them in their labors, 
They never did step on any one's toes, 
And their garden flourished like the rose. 

Their life a model for others to see. 

And how I wished it had been me. 

I was good to see, also to admire ; 

But I needed to take a step or two higher. 

Such a life as this I cannot forget, 
For in my mind these things are set, 
And should be made an example for all. 
To help us rise and not to fall. 

Now, while I know in this modern date. 

Plenty of men are just as great, 

But while they are great do they love their 

wife. 
The same as they do their own sweet life? 

But now, the time is drawing nigh. 
When this sweet couple has to die, 
We hear no murmurs and no complaints. 
For both of them were perfect saints. 

One day the old man with staff in hand. 
Said to his wife, I must join the band, 
Our lives have passed without any noise, 
And are changing now to eternal joys. 
[164] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

His wife looked up with a sweet little sigh, 
And says, dear one, good bye, good bye. 
You leave me alone, I need no warning. 
In a few more months I'll say good morning. 

He says I feel the cold, chilly air. 
But says I see the city so fair. 
This man and his wife both very old. 
Went up to Heaven, their actions told. 

And now, dear reader, I do not want to weary 

you. 
With poetry or rhyme, but I think I ought to 

give you 
A piece on home rule. 

No two or just the opposite of the one given, 
which we will term home rule, no one. Then I 
will finish my subject in prose for you. 

When a man and his wife becomes to be two, 
Then don't you know that that won't do, 
I always feel and feel very sad. 
When I see a man and his wife get mad. 

When they were married or tied together. 
They promised to love and cherish each other. 
But he says you have kicked up a fuss. 
And I am so mad, I've a notion to cuss. 

And she says, John, this is a shame. 
Then he says, Sallie, I am not to blame. 
She says. Oh, John, you told me a lie, 
Then said no more, but began to cry. 

[165] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Then John says, you are another, 
I'd slap your face if you was my brother. 
Oh, I am going home and I'll tell pa. 
He'll make you slap at the end of the law. 

I am not afraid of you nor your pa, 

And don't want to hear any more of your jaw, 

If you go home you can just stay, 

I've made up my mind to go some other way. 

About this time they concluded to rest. 
And study a while to see what was best. 
Nothing more was said for an hour and a half. 
It happened just then, one saw the other 
laugh. 

In a little while they both agreed to peace, 
Were smiling and chatting like a couple of 

geese. 
They said to each other everything is all right, 
But 'twas only a week till they had another 

fight: 

A neighbor passed by, heard a fuss in the 

house. 
He just slipped by with the noise of a mouse. 
He heard one say, I'll kill you in a minute. 
And says, I am glad that I wasn't in it. 

I went down the road, I thought I'd listen, 
One says take that and I'll take this one, 
I concluded they were making a divide. 
So I slipped to a place where I could hide. 
[i66] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

About this time the fuss calmed down, 
His wife caught a horse and started for town. 
Then I knew very well, of course. 
That she was going to get a divorce. 

She got in town, was feeling so bad, 
I wouldn't have come but I was so mad. 
But I'll see a lawyer while I have a chance, 
But the lawyer wanted his pay in advance. 

She says the money is all I lack. 
Then she got her horse and come on back, 
Come through the lot, leading and walking, 
Says to herself, I'll let John do the talking. 

When she came in he says, Did you get one? 
No, that old fool lawyer wouldn't give me 

none. 
It seems to me this is a little bit funny. 
He'd give you one if you had had the money. 

He says, next time don't you be so smart, 
If you want a divorce, wait till we part. 
Look here, Sallie, don't you do this any more, 
For this kind of work is awful poor. 

Don't you all think such as this a shame. 
And don't you all know both are to blame. 
All the time quarrelling, giving each the lie. 
You can guess where they'll go when they 
die. 

[167] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

Now, I'll return to my subject again. As I 
said, we settled down for a life of misery or of 
happiness. So I studied over my condition 
this way: now and before marriage, before I 
married, as I said before, I would have made 
any sacrifice for her, I would have done any- 
thing in this world that laid in the power of 
man. Now I have her and she is the same 
angel she was before marriage, and if I can 
keep myself holy in her sight, surely we can 
both be angels. 

So I resolved so to do, but you know that 
good resolutions and good intentions amount 
to nothing whatever unless put into action. I 
soon found this out, but by close observation 
and doing my duty the best I could, I found 
she loved me as well as I did her, that her love 
for me was as true as steel. Then I says 
everything in this world may offend me but I 
will never be offended at her. So as I was go- 
ing down the street one day, I heard some 
one call me. It was Will Adams on the other 
side of the street; he asked me to come over 
and over I went. He says to me, ''John, don't 
you want to have a little fun with the girls?" 
I says, *'No, I reckon not." Then he says, 
"Right down the street here is four or five of 
the prettiest girls you ever saw, they are the 
sporting kind, let's go down and have a little 
fun with them." I says, "I am a married 
man." "Well," he says, "I am a married man, 
too, but I don't think there would be any harm 
,[i68] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

in going down and drinking some beer with 
the girls, and have a little fun with them, we 
will both quit that soon, you know." I says, 
"I have done quit now." "Oh," he says, "you 
are a little too particular." I says, "Well, I 
would stick my head in a fiery furnace as 
quick as I would go with you there. My wife 
is too good to me for that ; she is the kind that 
has the power over me and not the sporting 
kind. I love my wife and no one who loves 
his wife will go to a house of this kind, he 
can't do it and love his wife, too ; he may 
think he loves his wife, but that just proves 
he does not. Now, Mr. Adams, my advice to 
you as a good and tried friend, is to go to no 
such place, the married man who goes into a 
house of this character is already in the very 
jaws of hell. An alligator like with mouth wide 
open is ready to shut down on its victim 
Now, Will, I would not go." "Well," he says, 
''after such a lecture as you have given me, I 
don't believe I will," and we parted, Will 
turning square around, went back up the 
street; and I went on my way to attend to a 
business transaction. After we parted and I 
saw the effect of my talk to Will, I felt good 
and knew I had done right. When I went 
home that evening my wife came and sit down 
by me and asked me if I was tired. I says, 
"No, not much," and she put her sweet little 
arms around me and kissed me, and I felt so 
happy. On the other hand, suppose I had 
I169] 



^'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

gone with Will and both of us had been guilty 
of adultery, then when my wife sit by me and 
kissed me, how would I have felt? I would 
have felt meaner than if I had stolen a sheep, 
yes, meaner than if I had stolen a thousand 
sheep and that is not all, I would have had one 
of the blackest sins charged up to me, for I 
tell you, if there is a hell on earth or any 
where else, the sporting houses are the very 
heart and core of it. Woman in her purity is 
an angel and as sweet as Heaven. But woman 
in her fallen and degraded condition is as low 
as the lowest hell. Oh ! for an elevation of 
mankind. We had been married twelve 
months, and my wife had never relinquished 
her way of coming to me every time I would 
come home with a smile, good words and 
kisses. I thought she would drop off after a 
while, but she did not in the least. Well, I 
says I always loved her with all my heart, but 
she is so kind my love for her is increasing so 
fast I will have to build me a shed to store 
part of it under, as my heart is running over. 
She has never given me a short word and this 
is so kind of her. She is worth a million dol- 
lars, yes, the world would not be a temptation 
to me in exchange for her. 

But there is one little habit I have had that 
sometimes overcomes me, and that is, I will 
sometimes take a little too much whiskey, but 
I had been very careful not to do so since we 
had been married. 

[170] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But one day I got too much, so I thought I 
would not go home until it wore off, thinking 
that if she found it out that there would be a 
change in her love for me, but instead of wear- 
ing it off I just got worse, as I had no control 
of myself whatever when I once got started 
and under its influence. Finally my wife 
came to hunt me and found me drunk, yes, aw- 
ful drunk and sick. Now, I thought, we will 
have a time and our loving stage of existence 
was nearing an end. I did not know what I 
would do. But she got some one to help her 
bring me home and laid me on the porch, then 
she took hold of me and with what I could 
help her, she got me into the room, then I 
thought my time had come and our blissful 
meeting and parting was over forever, but 
don't you think the first thing she did was to 
smile, then she put her arms around me and 
kissed me as usual. Then I thought, angel 
kiss a drunkard! Then she says, ''John, I 
love you more than I ever did in my life." 
"Well," I says, 'T will get drunk again then." 
"No, John," she says, "you will not get drunk 
any more." "Well," I says, "why do you love 
me more when I am drunk?" "Well," she 
says, "I did not know you had this habit, now, 
I know it and you must be cured of it, and it 
takes more love to cure it and this is why I 
love you more. Oh, John, you are too good 
and sweet to do this way, too good a man. 
And your wife, John, she is your helper in all 

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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

things. Can you bear, John, to do this way 
when you know it hurts your little wife so 
bad; but she can bear it, John, only for your 
sake. Oh, I love you so much, John." Then 
she brought me warm water and soap, she 
washed my hands and my face and combed 
my hair and said to me, ''John, you look so 
nice and sweet," and then she kissed me again 
and then she said, ''Dear John, will you 
love me more?" Then I tried to think of such 
a woman as she was, asking an old drunkard 
to love her more, but I said, "yes," and I 
meant to do it if it took death to accomplish 
it and she says, "John, will you try your very 
best, for my sake, to give up this habit?" and 
I said, "Yes, darling, I will." Then she says, 
"John, when you go to do this way any more, 
will you think of me, your little darling at 
home?" Then my heart was overcome and I 
said, "Y-e-s," and it was all I could say. 
She says, "I can save you from disgrace, I can 
save you, darling, only trust in me." Some- 
time after this I went to take a drink in a bar 
and the keeper had poured it out for me, and as 
I went to raise the glass to my lips I thought 
of my wife and I could not raise my arm high 
enough to get the glass to my mouth, so I 
told the barkeeper I was sick and could not 
drink it. I heard him remark as I left the 
saloon that that man had all he could carry. 
And so I did, but it was not whiskey. When I 
got out I was in an awful fix, a drunkard's 
[172] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

thirst was to be out-done or a soul forever 
lost, but I went home as quick as I could get 
there, and I told my wife I must have a drink 
and she says, ''You shall have it, darling." I 
thought she had prepared herself with a little 
and was going to give me some to taper off 
with. She came back directly with a glass 
level full of cold, sweet cream and says, 'Take 
this, darling," and I did. Then she kissed me 
and talked so good to me, that, honestly, in a 
half-hour I felt so much better I had forgotten 
about the whiskey. When night come I rested 
very well and next morning I was ready for 
my work and was feeling much better than if 
I had taken whiskey. She says, "Jo^^' I ^^^^ 
go and help you to-day, that is, if you want 
my help." I says, "No, dear wife, I will make it 
all right now," then I went on to my work with 
a lighter heart than usual, but I thought while 
I am working I will have to suffer so hard to 
quit this whiskey business. On the other 
hand, I would have to suffer more, and it 
seemed to me a hell either way I would turn, 
and I was in a perfect tremble. Oh, if I just 
had one little dram, I'd give a thousand dol- 
lars for it. But then how could I drink it if I 
had it. Then I thought, Oh, my darling wife. 
Oh, I will die for the love I have for her be- 
fore I will swallow another drop. There is 
not enough of whiskey in this world nor money 
either to separate me from her. So I said I 
will go back home this very morning and let 
,[i73l 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

the work go. I came back home and she says, 
''Honey, are you sick?" I says, "Yes, dar- 
ling." "Well," she says, "I will give you some 
more medicine," and she brought me some 
more cream ; still I craved v/hiskey, but she 
cheered me up and said, "Would you hurt 
your little darling's feelings if you could help 
it?" I says, "No, darling." "Well," she says, 
"you just stay here with me and I will take 
care of you." Yes, we will love it off, and 
so I did. In a few days my thirst for whiskey 
was over and I had not felt as good in a year's 
time before. In about six months I took an- 
other spell of craving whiskey, but it was not 
so hard to wear it off, and from that time on 
I never had any more trouble with whiskey. 
And to-day my love for my wife has no 
bounds. It goes beyond the planet Uranus, if 
such a thing could be. Where is the man that 
would not love a wife that was always kind 
and good to him when he was good and when 
he was bad? No one could stand such as this 
and not give in but a brute in human form. 
This life is not worth living without a loving 
wife. She makes a man stout, she makes him 
ambitious, she makes him honest and healthy, 
she makes him good in every way. She 
makes him everything; no woman knows how 
much influence she has over the man if she 
just takes the right steps to impose it. But, 
oh, how many times the wrong steps are taken 
by both man and wife, love, love, love is the 
[174] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

only right way. And now, in old age, when I 
behold her silver locks 'tis bliss to me and 
they are as beautiful to me as when we were 
young, yes, and more so, because her hands 
have been my burden bearer, have helped me 
through this weary life and made it a life of 
pleasure and happiness instead of misery and 
woe. Oh ! how my love increases for her at 
this age and has never ceased to increase more 
and more with age. The older the love, the 
better the quality, it is like good wine, when I 
was sad or troubled she gladdened my heart 
with endearing words and kisses and never 
left off the love, and with her own hands she 
did labor that I might be able to make ends 
meet. She was my sweet young darling, now 
she is my much sweeter old darling still, and 
nothing but death alone can part us. What 
God has joined together, let no man put 
asunder. God says we are one, but in that 
land beyond we will still be more beautiful 
and sweeter, and will forever be one. 



FROM THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE 
WORLD TO THE CENTRE OF 
GRAVITY; OR, THE DES- 
TINY OF MAN. 

■A message now to all I herald. 
From the foundations of the world, 

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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

This writing may to some unfold, 
Something that has not been told. 

If man would lay a sure foundation 

It must be done with premeditation, 

And with his God in combination, 

For man is the capstone of God's creation. 

What we know about God's laws is the 
basis of all our knowledge. In the beginning 
when the foundations of this world was laid, 
'twas done by three persons, the Father, Son, 
and the Holy Ghost. These three are one and 
they made a combination, and in that com- 
bination or agreement, the foundations of this 
world were laid. Now, what I mean, when I 
say from the foundations of the world to the 
centre of gravity, that there is a foundation or 
a beginning of all and everything. Also an 
ending or a place of rest, the beginning and 
ending of man and all things pertaining to 
him, this is what I mean. God being the cen- 
tre of gravity man will not stop until he 
reaches the centre and there he will rest. 
Man's days are short and full of trouble. Why 
is this? Disobedience. Disobeying the moral 
and spiritual laws. Well, what is man? He 
is flesh, blood and bone, this is the house of 
man, and this is not all of man, but it takes a 
combination of parts to constitute man. He 
is composed of a soul part as well as a spirit- 
ual part. Where does man keep his soul? His 

[176] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

body is the home of the soul as long as the 
body lasts or has life. What part of man is 
his soul? The spiritual part or mind. A man 
without a mind is a man without a soul. And 
it takes Jesus Christ to make such a one 
whole. Where does his soul rest? It does 
not rest, but is ever active in the mind. This 
is the soul part of man and is a substance dis- 
tinct from matter, conscience is mind. When 
God created man, he gave him the power of 
reason with a conscious mind, that is, he made 
him to know he had a mind and a conscience, 
which is reason and this reason is above 
everything on the earth and nothing but a 
God can give such reason to man. 

And this reason is power and this power is 
life and this life is the soul of man. Flesh, 
blood and bone compose the body of man. 
Reason, power, life, compose the soul of man, 
this soul part is the God part and is a part of 
God and this makes a live soul. For whatso- 
ever is born of God overcometh the world and 
this is the foundation of a soul in this life and 
is also necessary for the next life, and this is 
done by faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, as our 
Saviour, for I tell you now that the foundations 
of eternal happiness or woe is laid in this life. 
If we live carnal minded our foundation is on 
sand and will be washed away. Man was 
created a little lower than the angels and holds 
his own very well in that respect yet. He was 
created pure and holy, but fell from that holy 

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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

estate. Then God left him in that fallen con- 
dition for two thousand years and he got so 
wicked and sinful that God said he would de- 
stroy him from the face of the earth. 

And he brought a great flood and destroyed 
him, but God found one good and righteous 
man in the person of old Noah, and through 
him he saved seed to again replenish the earth. 
A promise of a Saviour was given to old Noah's 
descendants to save the next world, and God 
sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to save and redeem 
them. Two thousand years from the flood our 
Saviour come, and God's own select people re- 
jected him and crucified him on the cross, but 
he arose from the dead, finished his work on 
earth and then ascended to his Father in 
Heaven and will come again to reign on the 
earth a thousand years, to redeem and perfect 
his v/ork on the earth. He will rule the world 
and will be King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 
and will put everything under his feet. God 
created the angels before he did man and 
created them a little higher than he did man, 
yet, they fell from that lofty estate. Then 
why he would create man is the question. 

The angels fell because they had never had 
any experience with Sin and could not see the 
evil consequences of it. Man fell because he 
disobeyed God's commandments, so God let 
him have experience with sin two thousand 
years before the flood and two thousand years 
after the flood and then when Christ did come 

[178] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

we would not receive him. But this promised 
Redeemer has come and gone, yet, he has 
been with us nineteen hundred years and 
many have not received him yet. But he says 
he has tasted death for every man and will 
redeem the whole world from sin. He tasted 
death for every man that ever was born, or 
ever will be born. Also the dead and the liv- 
ing. All men having anything to do with sin, 
they know the consequences of it. After hav- 
ing experience with sin and feeling the conse- 
quences of it and then being redeemed by the 
only Son of God, and restored back to the 
Garden of Eden to the original Holy Estate, 
or to the great Millennial Age, which will be 
the land of paradise. 

Then if man should sin and fall again he 
will die the second death from which there is 
no redemption. Because God has the only 
one Son to redeem with and, as he has ex- 
hausted his power in this one redemption, he 
would not be a fit subject for a second redemp- 
tion. So when Christ comes in the great 
Millennial Morning his redemption will be 
complete. Man will be restored to his former 
estate in the old Garden of Eden from 
whence he came, and his body restored 
to earth from whence it came. Man one time 
more on a level with his creation, what a 
glorious time it should be. When the Lord 
of the vineyard paid the same wages to his 
hands, to them that came at the eleventh hour, 
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''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

the same as them that came at the seventh 
hour, so it will be when Christ comes. The 
same answer that the laborers got will apply. 
Man being restored, the earth will be a para- 
dise, grass will grow and all fruits mature and 
the earth or land improve. of its own accord 
without the tillage of man. 

The River of Life and the Tree of Life will 
ripple and bloom for ever. And all who are 
worthy may eat and drink forevermore. And 
Christ himself will be our King and will rule 
until all things are put under his feet. And 
the earth and the heavens in due time will 
pass away, and all things be made new in 
Christ Jesus, our Lord. The strongest lan- 
guage ever used in this world, was when 
Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away 
but my words shall not pass away." God ha5 
given man the power to crown himself with 
glory and honor, that the angels know nothing 
about, because he has the power to know what 
glory and honor is, yet, in order to do this, he 
must with this same power conquer the world, 
the flesh and the devil, and then his glory is 
complete. Now, as I said, the soul of man is 
the mind, it is a part of God and will never 
die. 

The mind of man is never still. 
It's like the water that turns the mill, 
And as the water flows on and on, 
So does the mind when man is gone. 
[180I 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Everything on this earth combined 
Cannot destroy the human mind, 
Shut your eyes, the mind still goes. 
And none on earth but one, that knows. 

When all on earth has passed away, 
The mind can go or it can stay; 
The body is dead, to dust it's gone. 
But the precious mind is traveling on. 

It can think of good and evil, too; 
No one knows what the mind can do. 
Without the use of legs or wings, 
It does out-travel all mortal things. 

Only one place the mind can rest, 
And that is on the Saviour's breast. 
Was it not true, he gave the mind 
A resting place it never could find? 

Then if we have a good mind we have a 
good soul, and if we have an evil mind, a bad 
soul. Is that it? Then I could almost make 
a soul, could I not? You cannot make a soul, 
but you can make the quality of the soul. So 
you think then every one makes his soul just 
what it is? I do. Tell me where the soul will 
rest when the body is dead? Will it rest in the 
grave? I think not; the body rests in the 
grave, but there is a place for the soul to rest, 
for the soul is not perfect when it leaves the 
body, and nothing imperfect can enter heaven. 
[i8i] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

The soul lives and matures in the land of 
paradise. Tell me where the land of paradise 
is? It is the second state of man's existence, 'tis 
the home of the soul, as this life was the home 
of the body and is located in the same spot 
from whence Adam and Eve were driven. For 
when a man dies, a soul is born in its infancy 
and must mature and be perfected before it 
can proceed farther, but when the new body 
and the soul are united, then it is a fit subject 
for heaven and not before. No man can per- 
fect his soul in this life, except for paradise. 
He can lay the foundation in this life for the 
next life and so on. What things are neces- 
sary to lay that foundation? Three things 
are necessary. Faith, Hope and Charity. Tell 
me what these three things mean? 

Faith is to know and believe that Jesus 
Christ was the Son of God. Hope is the ex- 
pectation of the things we can't see. And 
charity, the whole thing helping to convert 
the world, forgiving others and doing good to 
every one, love to God and love to man. 
Well, you say we can make the quality of the 
soul. What will we make it out of? If I 
wanted to make a good soul I would use the 
best quality of love, and a bad soul would use 
the reverse, or hatred. The more love you can 
get into a soul, the better the soul. 

Love is the best soul in this life, 
Next to his soul should be his wife. 

[182] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Well, where can we get this love? God so 
loved the world that he gave his only Son to 
redeem it. That the Son might die and that 
we might live, and the world be redeemed 
from sin. Now, we should so love the Son as 
to walk in his footsteps, keeping his com- 
mandments, forsaking this life for that which 
is to come. 

If a man has any place to carry love, his 
soul is there. Now, what are you going to do 
with your soul? I am going to save it if pos- 
sible, for the time will come that I will need 
it, when my body is gone to the grave, I will 
have nothing left but the soul. You see I will 
have no flesh, blood nor bone. Nothing but 
the naked soul and if 'twas not for that I 
would be out entirely. So it behooves me to 
take care of that. 'Tis all I will have in the 
second state of existence until the new body 
is united with the soul. Do you believe in the 
resurrection of the body? I do. The body 
rests in the grave, the soul is spiritual and will 
never die, but rest in paradise till the resurrec- 
tion morning and will lay the foundation for 
its eternal rest, or heaven at the right hand of 
God. It will live the life of a soul as this body 
lived a life of the body. When this soul ma- 
tures, it is ready for the new body, when the 
soul and the new body is joined together, then 
it is a fit subject for heaven. 

But it must be ready when the resurrection 
comes. The thief on the cross never got any 

[183] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

further than paradise that we know of. Christ 
could have said, ''This day shalt thou be with 
me in heaven." But Christ was not going to 
heaven that day, so he used the word para- 
dise instead. He only went to the land of 
spirits, where all men go when they die. 
Christ came back to the grave and took up the 
same body and went on with his work forty 
days until finished and then he ascended to 
his Father in heaven, where he is to-day. But 
if we leave anything in this life undone, that 
we should do, it will be forever undone. We 
will not be permitted to come back and finish 
it, the work of the body is complete here, then 
it sleeps in the grave. Oh, to think, forever 
undone! Let us get ready for that day, for 
there is a set time for the new body and soul 
to be united and no one knows when that time 
is, but the new soul that is born in paradise 
knows and understands that mortal life is 
over. But that time is set and is sure to come 
whether we are prepared or unprepared. Then 
if we have no regrets, we have a good soul. 
Oh, that hour must come to every soul upon 
the earth. If you have lived up to date in sin, 
ask Christ for forgiveness and sin no more. 
Can the spirit conduct itself without a body? 
It can and has the power to appear in different 
shapes. He is an immortal being and has all 
power over the mortal. But he knows that 
his own mortal body must sleep till Christ 

[184] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

comes again, and that will be at the resurrec- 
tion, when his own body will be raised up and 
united with the soul. Not the same flesh, 
blood and bone he left on his dying bed, but 
a new body in the same likeness of the old, 
but not of the same material. What is the 
new body composed of? The new body is 
composed of the quickening power of God, 
and God giveth it a body as it hath pleased 
him, and to every seed his own body that is 
the very identity of yourself and not another. 
Knowing that it is you, it is me, the very iden- 
tical me, myself, and is an immortal being. 
No more mortality, but immortal forever, a 
substance that will never die. Sown in cor- 
ruption, raised in incorruption ; sown in dis- 
honor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, 
raised in power; sown a mortal body, raised a 
spiritual body. Now when the body that 
sleeps in the bowels of the earth and the spirit 
that rests in paradise are united, this makes a 
living soul and a living body fit for the king- 
dom of the living God. 

Now, the mind, the spirit, and the soul are 
one. This makes the combination spoken of in 
our text and when united with the new body, 
forms the everlasting being or compound soul 
that God alone can destroy, and God can de- 
stroy this soul and body, oh, so deep. The 
mind of man ; the initial step ; this world ; the 
spirit of man; the second step; paradise; the 

[185] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

soul of man ; the third step ; heaven. So let 
our minds be as pure as it is possible for them 
to be in a world like this. 

What a grand thing it is that we have the 
power given us by the Holy Ghost to make 
them pure if we will, and have a desire to da 
so. This is a work we must do or we will not 
be complete in the great day when all souls 
shall give an account of their stewardship here. 
Awake, or, thou that sleepeth, get ye up and 
be doing, for the night cometh when no man 
can work. 



A LITTLE MASONRY. 

The initial step, this w^orld. 

Our deeds in this life must be squared. As 
we are intended by God to be used in a build- 
ing not made by hands, but eternal and in the 
heavens, God being the architect, we must be 
squared and numbered and then pass to the 
second step or paradise, where the spirit is 
leveled and plumbed. All must use these tools 
so they will be square, plumb and level. Then 
we come to the third step or heaven, where the 
soul is prepared for a heavenly home with the 
trowel and brotherly love, all are cemented to- 
gether in one combination, which is so grand 
that nothing on earth or in heaven is equal to 
it. Then we are fit stones for that great build- 
ing. Every stone must be ready without any 
[i86] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

more work and must exactly fit the place for 
which it was intended. Every man is a stone 
and must be used or rejected. Some may lack 
a little of being square or level or plumb. 
None of these will be used. God being the 
architect, knows when they fit before he places 
them in the building. Because they have had 
these tools to work with, does not mean that 
all will fit, for many don't know how to use 
them and many that does know how, are dila- 
tory and neglectful and don't do a good job. 
Now, if you want to be one in that building, 
you must use these tools perfectly. Be a mas- 
ter mechanic, then every stone will fit to a 
joint. I will give you another illustration. We 
have a man who never attended church, who 
never sung a hymn or rejoiced in the Lord, 
well, when he comes to be with the happy 
throng in heaven, he will not fit ; another man, 
used to swearing and who can't speak without 
an oath, if he was set down in heaven and go 
on with his swearing, what would these good 
people do? They would have to get out of 
his way and they would have nowhere to go. 
So you see he don't fit. All these kind are re- 
jected before they get to the place because 
God don't want to lift them in and then lift 
them out if they don't fit. He knows too much 
for that. 

Now, I will go on in my regular channel. 
Do you believe that Christ was the Son of 
God? Most assuredlv I do. Well, did he die 

[187] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

ibr the sins of the flesh? I think he did. Then 
it looks like man would not have all this 
worldly trouble to bear. Yes, but his death 
was to satisfy the Father and not man. Was 
Christ a man of flesh, blood and bone as we 
are? Yes, but he had a thorn in the flesh that 
was given him by Satan. I mean by that, he 
had to combat Satan, he had to live in the 
flesh and endure temptation and conquer the 
flesh with the flesh. But this was intended by 
his Heavenly Father that he might not be ex- 
alted above measure, a man of sorrow and ac- 
quainted with grief. Did he live without sin- 
ning? He did. If Christ was flesh, blood and 
bone as we are to-day and lived without sin in 
this sinful life, then why can't we do the same 
thing? Only one reason, we don't try as hard 
as he did to not sin. Well, why don't we try 
as hard as he did to not sin? Because we are 
not as wise as he was, but we are exhorted to 
be. Y^es, but you say he was God and man, 
too. So he was, and so are we. You say he 
had all power in heaven and earth. So he 
did. But he did not make use of his heavenly 
powers here. Well, why didn't he? Because 
he agreed to lay his heavenly powers down 
and conquer the world, the flesh and the devil 
with the flesh alone. So he took upon himself 
the natural man. Man's mortal flesh and did 
conquer the world, the flesh and the devil with 
the flesh alone. We must do the same. And 
when he performed a miracle or done anything 
[i88] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

beyond the power of man, he called on his 
Heavenly Father for the power to perform the 
same. 

He was wise enough to know that the exist- 
ence of this world depended on the way he 
lived and the battle he fought against the 
world, the flesh, and the devil. That if he 
failed to conquer, all was lost. Think of the 
devil taking him up into an exceedingly high 
mountain where he showed him all the king- 
doms of this world, and, while he was contem- 
plating in his mind over these things, then the 
devil says, 'Tf you will bow down and worship 
me, all this glory I will give thee, all shall be 
thine." The devil told him it was his to give 
and to whomsoever I will, I give it. Poor, 
foolish devil, I wonder did he think he could 
fool the Son of the living God. If ever there 
was a critical time in this world this was the 
time. Had Christ obeyed the devil, this world 
would have been blotted out in the twinkling 
of an eye. Think of the devil having the power 
to tempt the living Christ. A poor, innocent 
lamb who never shed a drop of blood in his 
life, never done an unkind act, never as much 
as wantonly killed a bug. 

But his tempting him done the devil no 
good, it was a failure. And this ought to 
teach us one grand lesson, to watch and pray, 
for the tempter will come and if we should 
yield to him, all will be lost. We have the 
same power to-day that he had, he succeeded 

[189] 



"ALL KINDS'' OF GEMS 

and so can we if we only have faith in Christ, 
and believe in his name. We can even perform 
miracles by prayer and faith in Jesus Christ, 
believing in him and asking the Holy Spirit to 
cio for us what the Father done for the Son. 
He says so himself. Now, if we don't make a 
success in saving our souls, 'tis our own fault 
and not the Saviour's, for he has completely 
performed his part. Well, don't you think he 
was more able to perform his part than we are 
ours? I think not, because he did not use any- 
thing but human power and we have the same 
power to-day. He was tempted as we are 
tempted, and when he hung upon the Cross 
and his last expiring breath was being taken, 
he called upon his Heavenly Father and the 
Father did not answer him. 

Then his heart was broken to think his 
Father was able to help him and would not. 
But the Father turned his back upon his Son 
as if to say, you agreed to die for this old, sin- 
ful world. Now you have them upon your 
shoulders, take them, for they are a sinful set. 
If you can save them you may do so at your 
own expense. And the Son died for all the 
world, away from his Father, away from his 
disciples, away from all his friends if he had 
any, all alone he died. Not even a grave for 
his body, he had to borrow Joseph's tomb. Was 
there ever any man so poor and forsaken, and 
this was not the first time he borrowed, but it 
was the last time. 

[190] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

But when the Father saw that the Son had 
lived a righteous life without sin and that he 
had performed the work that he agreed to do 
and sealed it with his blood upon the Cross, 
then the Father did bless him and raised him 
up from the grave and gave him all power over 
this world. 

And restored him back to the same power, 
love and affection he had before his death. 
Now, the Saviour had told his disciples be- 
fore his death that he was going away and 
whither I go ye cannot come now, but you may 
come hereafter. But he said to the Scribes 
and Pharisees in the Temple, that whither I 
go ye cannot come. But he told his disciples 
he would not leave them without a comforter, 
that he would send them the Holy Spirit to lead 
them to the place which he would prepare for 
them. Now, do you believe there can be a 
communication between the spirits in paradise 
and the mortal man? I do. I believe the 
spirit can commune with the mind of man, but 
that mind must be free from all earthly 
thought before it can do so. If a man lives 
right he can see spiritually and talk spiritually. 
Then he can get out of the mortal for the time 
being and commune with the spirits in the 
spirit land. This is what I call heavenly wire- 
less telegraphy and is just as reasonable as our 
worldly telegraphy of to-day. 

Now, I want to say there never was a time 
when God did not commune with his people 

[191] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

since the creation of the world. And he is no 
less mindful of them to-day. He talked to 
Adam himself, he talked to Moses, Abraham 
and others, and sent prophet after prophet to 
talk to his people. On up to the birth of 
Christ God talked with his people and then he 
turned the government of this world over to his 
Son, Jesus Christ, and he talked and walked 
and preached to his people. Then when the 
Son went away, he gave us the Holy Ghost to 
commune with us, and he talks to us every day 
and all the time, but we will not listen to him. 
We don't like to talk much that way. Some- 
times he will ask us something and he gets aw- 
ful weary waiting for us to answer. He is 
willing to lead us, but we won't be led. He is 
with us all the time. He never forsakes us for 
one moment. Oh, if we just knew him, how 
much better off we would be. 

While Christ was on earth he communed 
with his Father every day. We can do the 
same v/ith the Holy Ghost and if we 
don't do it, what a great privilege we are 
throwing away. We can commune with Christ 
through the Holy Ghost and he would gladly 
hear us and answer our request. But it seems 
that we don't have much communication for 
him. Humanity or the world don't believe 
to-day that Christ is so near us. We think he 
is far away, our faith in him is entirely too 
weak. Wlien our faith is strengthened and our 
works prove it, then we can accomplish any- 
[192] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

thing in his name. When we sinned against 
God we had the Son to go to for forgiveness 
and when we sin against the Son we can go to 
the Holy Ghost and ask forgiveness, but when 
we sin against the Holy Ghost who will for- 
give us? The Bible says it shall not be for- 
given us in this world nor in that which is to 
come. Should we not be very careful then how 
we live? 

Let us humble ourselves, get down in the 
dust of humility and with faith and meekness 
combined, ask God for mercy and for the Holy 
Spirit to guide us, and see what he will do for 
us. Ask what you will, in his name, believing 
in his only Son, and it shall be granted you. 
Everything we do should be for the betterment 
of ourselves and our fellowman. But, one 
says, how can we reach these worldly people? 
Not like some telling them how mean they are 
and calling them by bad names, no, but like 
Jesus Christ himself, the meaner the man, the 
closer you can get to him, by one sweet and 
mild word, tell him kindly and sweetly how 
valuable is his soul and that Christ has made 
an atonement for him and so forth. Tell him, 
that for just such as him Christ died to save. 
Nothing is gained by talking rough to people 
or by abusing them in any way. When Judas 
betrayed Christ with a kiss, thinking that he 
was deceiving him, then Christ spoke to Judas 
so mild and said. Friend, wherefore art thou 
come? Knowing at the same time that Judas 
>[i93l 



"ALE KINDS" OF GEMS 

was betraying him. Such humanity as this is 
not known only in Christ. No man ever de- 
served a rebuke and that roughly, than did 
Judas, but this was Christ's manner of doing 
business. So let us take Christ as our guide 
in all things and then we will be right. He 
only used human power in what he done, un- 
less he performed a miracle and then he called 
upon his Heavenly Father to do that for him. 
So we can do the same, what we can't do in 
the flesh, we can do by calling upon the Holy 
Spirit to help and aid us. 

But we should live so as to think more of 
God and his cause than we do of houses and 
lands, wife or children, brothers or sisters, 
mothers or fathers or even of our own lives. 
[Then, we can get close to God. 



A PLACE OF REST. 

This place of rest is prepared by him who 
laid the foundations of all things. That's good 
enough. The rest is found when earthly 
things have passed away in the centre of grav- 
ity. What does this rest mean? It means 
that mortal beings are transformed into immor- 
tal beings. Now for the mortal to think and 
not only to think, but know that this is true, 
to rest from labor, yes, to rest from suffering 
and toil, no more sickness, no more fevers nor 
pains nor disappointments, no imprisonment^ 
I194I 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

nor blind any more, nor deaf, nor dumb, nor 
nothing to mar our feelings in the least. A 
place of eternal rest, the centre. Think of him 
who has seen the sun rise and set every time 
since it was a sun. Cannot he prepare a place 
of perfect rest? The centre of gravity is 
steady, it cannot be shaken, 'tis the only place 
that rest is found that is durable and everlast- 
ing. 

Now, think of the heavens and the earth 
passing away and all things being new, a new 
place, a new body in the likeness of the 
old. The soul and new body joined together 
makes a new creature in Christ fit for the new 
place prepared. Multiply all the sands of the 
sea shores and rivers by all the drops of water 
on the earth and this, by one hundred millions, 
and then you have less than one minute, com- 
pared with eternity and then think of such a 
long rest and cannot be moved because it is 
balanced in the centre and cannot be unbal- 
anced or its foundations moved. Who would 
not forsake their riches and all the enjoyments 
of this short life and strive with all his might 
for a home of such magnitude. Such a life 
can be obtained without money and without 
price. But it will cost us cares, suffering, 
labor and the forsaking of all fleshly lust and 
so forth. Such a life can be obtained and also 
have enough of this world's goods to satisfy 
the body in this life. Oh, the glory in such a 
life. 

|[I95]| 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



ANDY SIMMONS AND ELI POLK. 

Andy Simmons and Eli Polk were two of the 
best possum hunters that ever was in this 
country. The night never got too dark nor the 
weather too cold nor too rainy nor too windy 
nor too anything else for them not to hunt 
possums. And they hunted all the time every 
night, they never stopped at all until the hunt- 
ing season was over. And they caught more 
possums than everybody else put together. 
One night I hunted nearly all night and not a 
possum did I find, so I came around by Andy 
Simmons and he gave me two big, fat possums 
and this made me think a whole heap of Andy. 
Mr. Polk is also a good fellow about giving 
people possums, they have some way of draw- 
ing possums to them. But there is a certain 
time when Mr. Persimmons will draw most 
anything. He does love to draw people's 
mouths up. He says some people's mouths 
ou^ht to stay drawed up, only when they are 
eating. One time Mr. Persimmons was in a 
good way for drawing and he drev/ a young 
man's mouth up tight. I saw him with his 
mouth puckered up, I did not know he had 
been about Mr. Simmons, so when I saw him 
with his mouth puckered, I thought he was 
making a bad mouth at me. I told him to put 

;[i96], 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

down his mouth or I would smash it down for 
him. 

But he would only shake his head. I told 
him again and he said I 'ood if I 'ood. Then 
when he got so he could speak he said young 
Bob Simmons done it. But he let young Bob 
alone after that, but Mr. Simmons gave me 
some of the best beer once I ever drank way 
back yonder, you know. Now I don't know 
what a kin this Eli Polk was to our Gov. 
Polk, but Gov. Polk couldn't catch possums 
with our Eli, but Gov. Polk was a better polker 
than Eli was. He polked himself up in the 
State Capital and not being satisfied with that, 
he just kept polking until he polked up into 
the Capitol of the United States. He was a 
good polker, but I don't know how he played ; 
but I don't think he was much for polk ber- 
ries and polk root nor polk suppers nor polk 
tobacco nor possums, yet, after all this polking 
about, he was a very extraordinary man. 



PETER POPLAR. 

Peter Poplar and his folks were very large in 
stature, also a very popular people. Mr. Bird- 
eye Poplar used to be the go. But Mr. Bird- 
eye and his folks have been gone from here for 
sometime. The Poplar people are scarce now. 
I remember one time a lot of us girls and boys 
[197] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

went to Poplar Hollow. We crawled through 
a hollow Poplar log which was lying down in 
the hollow, and we hollowed in the hollow log 
and it answered and some come out at the little 
hollow end and some didn't. What was not 
hollow was Poplar. And a good time for pop- 
ping the question, about four of us did that 
sure enough, and the popping got started and 
I don't know what all we did pop. I know 
we popped pawpaws, some popped leaves, we 
popped everything we could that would pop at 
all. We popped some things we didn't know 
what they were, but they popped all the same. 
And this was one of the poppingest times I 
ever popped at. 'Twas a regular popping bee. 
I have never cared for any more popping since 
that time, either poplar, popular or unpopular 
popping. 



MR. BENJAMIN CEDAR. 

Old Ben Cedar, a fine old man, but his head 
never gets gray. He is closely related to Mr. 
Chittim, Mr. Olive, Mrs. Palm and Mr. Fir. 
They were all connected with the building of 
Solomon's temple. But there is hardly any 
place in the world but what Mr. Cedar is ac- 
quainted. The changes of season or climate 
has not much to do with him. He's a fine 
workman, a fine polisher and an everlasting 

[198] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

laster. This generation of people are very 
numerous and irregular in size. Some are very 
diminutive, while others are much larger. The 
giants of this race lived on Mt. Lebanon and 
was of great assistance in building the temple. 
Mr. Cedar is also a furniture maker, and a 
cooper by trade. The first piggin I ever saw 
Mr. Cedar put it up with wooden hoops on it, 
he also made water buckets with wood hoops 
on them, but now, we use the brass hoops on 
cedar vessels. He also makes cedar oil, the 
strongest of any oil made. This oil is used to 
cure ringbone and spavined horses. Now we 
come to the cedar pencil, I am using one now, 
making it tell on itself. 



ZACK SYCAMORE. 

The sycamore people are a thrifty, thriving 
people, but I never knew but two of them that 
was much account and that was old Zack and 
his son. Now, this old man's son got up in a 
sycamore and thought by that he could see 
more. He was a chief among publicans and a 
rich man and a small man, but la, he could not 
be chief among the Republicans of our day, but 
by getting up in that sycamore tree he had to 
give Christ his dinner, which was a great 
honor to him, whereas, if he had not got up 
in there he would not have been notioed, and 
1 199], 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

all that did not climb a sycamore tree was not 
noticed but they murmured at this Zachariah 
and said he was a sinner. But climbing a tree 
nowadays would not give us any notoriety. 
They are a very tall ganglin set of people with 
very white skin and most all the time are play- 
ing ball. Sometimes they burst their balls into 
thousands of pieces and the wind blows them 
away. 

Now, if there is anything more about this 
sycamore, I don't know any more. 



OLD BILLIE GUM. 

Old Billie Gum is not the same man as Billie 
by-gum, yet they are a kin. Mr. Yellow Gum 
makes very nice furniture, but old Black Gum 
is part negro and is not fit for anything only 
for rabbits to hide in, if it be a hollow gum. 
Now, we have black gum, yellow gum, sweet 
gum, chewing gum and by-gum. Now, there 
is just a little bit more gum about this thing 
than I thought for. And I am afraid it is go- 
ing to gum up, but turpentine and coal oil will 
keep it going all right, I think. 

Now, the old man Billie Gum come down to 
my house one day and said that gumhow his 
dog had treed a 'possum as big as Gumbo up 
a gum stump and he wanted to borrow gum 
powder enough to gum blow his brains out, by- 
[200] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

gum. Now, had it not been for gumbo gump- 
tion I would never have told you this. 



MR. JOHN LOCUST. 

John Locust is one of the oldest residents 
in this country. He is a good deal older than 
I am, but I have known him all my life. These 
locust people are a very hard headed people ; 
they were used in time for mauls to drive iron 
wedges with, split rails, etc. In a short time 
after John was married, I never saw so many 
little locusts. The country was full of them, 
you couldn't step out without meeting a locust, 
they grew fast and tall. They were the tallest 
people I ever saw to be so low, and they seem 
to be spreading very fast these days and more 
especially in the towns and in politics than any 
where else. But say what you may about these 
people, they are the most durable people I 
know of, for they certainly will stay with you 
as long as you will let them. Another thing 
about them, in the bloom of life, they are a 
very sweet people. This teaches us that there 
is nothing or hardly anything at all but what 
has some good parts about them. I have seen 
some of these people as sweet as honey, in 
fact, they were called honey locust, so you 
might say they are the sweetest and sourest 
people of all. 

[201] 



*'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

And some folks even fall in love with them. 
Now that makes me think of it. I fell in love 
one time myself, but I didn't fall very far and 
it did not hurt me much. There are four sea- 
sons to fall in love, Spring, Summer, Fall and 
Winter. The best time is in the Fall season, 
there is not so much danger of getting hurt 
then because everything is in falling order. I 
knew a young man to fall in love one time in 
the Spring and he liked to have drowned be- 
fore we could get him out. But summer time 
is not a good time either to fall in love, it is 
too hot then, and there is danger of falling in 
a very hot place. I have known some to fall 
in such hot places that they had to get a law- 
yer to get them out. If I was to fall in in the 
summer time I would want to fall in the shade 
of an apple tree or some other tree. But Win- 
ter is a very good time to fall in love, it can't 
hurt you much then, as the ground is soft and 
everything cooled oflF. You even feel a little 
cool yourself and in falling in love, you should 
always keep cool. 



MR. GEORGE WHITEOAK. 

The stoutest man I ever knew was Mr. 

George Whiteoak. In my young days there 

was Jim Dempsey and Quil More, they were 

the champions of the day, since that we have 

[202] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

had Billie Patterson, Corbett, Kilrain, Fitzslm- 
mons, Jeffries and others, but none of them 
was as stout as Mr. Whiteoak. I have seen 
him hold up a whole train of cars, bridge and 
all. He could hold up a train of cars as easy 
as Jessie James could hold up a man. Mr. 
Whiteoak has lots of kinsfolk and they are all 
stout, hardy people. There's the Pineoaks, the 
red oaks, the spotted oaks, the Spanish oaks, 
the chestnut oaks, the post oaks, and the black 
oaks, and all of oak ridge that's a kin to him. 
If they were all to visit him he surely would 
have nothing left, but I guess he is stout 
enough to bear it all. The point is this, they 
are all stout people and they eat little, if any- 
thing at all, but they produce bushels of acorns 
for hogs to eat, then we kill and eat the hogs, 
surely we ought to be stout. 



OLD JACKSON HICKORY. 

The old man Hickory is tall and tough and 
his old bark is hard and rough, but he is one 
of the greatest fire makers of all. He is cele- 
brated for his toughness and is as hard as a 
stone wall, and he is also a great axle-tree 
maker, the best in the world except the iron 
age. He is also a great fighter and general 
and has produced the finest kind of honey. I 
have taken my knife and scraped it off the ends 
.[203], 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

of the split hickory, he is also a kin to Mr. 
Sugar Tree and Mr. Maple. 

Now these three kinds of timber, 
Are tough and hard and limber, 
And when they are good and sound, 
There is no better timber found. 

They represent a general of greatest fame, 
Old Hickory Jackson is his name. 
Sometimes he is called Old Stonewall, too. 
Now, what IVe said I believe is true. 



OLD DAVY SOURWOOD. 

Now, this is the worst mixed-up family I 
know of. The old man, Davy, is a full-blood 
Sourwood ; then there is old Jacob and his 
family and old Aunt Moll and her boys, then 
there is Jane's Jim and Margaret's Jim and 
Uncle John's Jim, and big Jim and little Jim 
and Jim Snooks, we called him snooks for short,, 
yes, and Short Jim, then a lot of cousins come 
in. Cousin John Dogwood and the Iron Woods 
and Underwoods, and a whole lot of other 
woodses. But you might think these Sour- 
wood people a sour kind of people, but they 
are not. They are mostly farmers and raise 
bees, but their kinsfolks are not so good. The 
dog-gone Dogwoods and other woodses are 
[204] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

everlastingly hunting squirrels or hunting 
something else. They are all the time on the 
hunt. If they don't find anything they will 
take something anyway. They say the reason 
they do this, is to keep things together, but I 
think the main reason is to keep themselves 
together. 



COLONEL WILLIAM WALNUT. 

William Walnut and old Sam Cherry used 
to be the foremost men of our forest and were 
both cabinet makers, but they are scarce now 
and also have a rival in the business, Mr. 
Quarteroak. The Walnut people have about 
died out and gone. All the walnuts in this 
country now are the young set, they are not of 
age yet. Yet, old Mr. Walnut has been a very 
useful man in his day. The old man Walnut 
makes a pill that is the movingest pill of this 
day, if a man should not want to move, he will 
move him anyway. There is no foolishness 
about him. He also has a coloring fluid in his 
hull that will stay with you and make you look 
like a real colored gentleman, but this Col. 
Walnut I speak of, I would not give him for 
all the balance of the Walnuts. He is the only 
Colonel Walnut that was in the Walnut army. 
Well, he was the whole thing. He was cap- 
tain, lieutenant-colonel and all. He had no 
[205] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

brigadier-general. He was the whole thing 
himself. He was just a Walnut Kernel. 



LITTLE JOHNNIE RED BUD. 

Little Johnnie red buds are plentiful around 
here. This country is full of red buds. Some 
of them can run and jump and play and kick 
up their heels. I remember one time I tried to 
persuade a lot of these little red buds to leave 
the field where I was plowing, and do you 
think one of them would go? No, unless I 
would take my mattock and push and prize 
them along they would not move, I tell you it 
took prizing, too. It just looks like they pick 
out the best places to stand on and they will 
make their home with you if you will let them. 
They can live on soapstone, rocks and gravel, 
but part of these red buddies are very nice 
folks and gentle, but another part is very bad 
folks and always in the way. Buddies are 
all right when you leave the red off. I like 
good buddies and nice little buddies are a 
good thing to have about. 



JOHN BUCKEYE. 

The buckeye people are not very numerous 
and not much account anyway. They are said 
[206] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

to be a medicinal kind of people, also poison- 
ous to some extent. They bear buckeyes and 
the buckeyes take their name from the buck- 
eye or deer-eye, which so much resemble each 
other. This buckeye is said to keep off the 
disease known as piles by carrying a buckeye 
in the pocket of the person subject to such dis- 
ease. Now, you may all believe this if you 
want to, but I don't believe nary word of it. 
Some old folks believe it and actually carry the 
buckeye for that purpose, poor, foolish people, 
I pity them. You might as well carry a buck- 
eye mower in your pocket, it would do as 
much good. The best use I know to put the 
buckeye to is to make bread trays, yet, they 
might be put to many other uses, as it is a nice 
white, clean wood. 

Now, Mr. Buckeye, 
I bid you good bye. 



MRS. WILLIAM WILLOW. 

Mrs. William Willow is an old lady, very 
old. Every one that sees her says she weeps. 
She is bent low all the time and the ground 
is always damp from her weeping. She stands 
all the time in a weeping position. She is a 
good hand to weep. Sometimes I wish I could 
get her to do a little weeping for me, but that 
[[207] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

is one thing we all have to do for ourselves. It 
is a job I don't like to do, yet, we have more 
or less of it to do. A fellow told me one time 
that he cried and wept both, but I don't see 
how he done it. Mrs. Willow is always quiet 
and peaceable and does not get excited, talks 
low, and never hollows, but it don't matter 
how long she lives nor how old she gets, her 
hair never turns gray and wrinkles do not 
come in her face. She don't get sick nor show 
her age. She is always good looking, but I 
don't see how this can be, when she weeps all 
the time. But I will bid her weep no more. 



THE BLACKBERRY. 

The blackberry being black, I reckon is the 
reason why it's called a blackberry. Well, 
then, why not call the dewberry a blackberry, 
too? The best way is, I think, to call one the 
high blackberry and the other the low black- 
berry. I'd rather pick the high blackberry, 
but I am not keen to pick either one. When I 
pick berries on a right hot sun-shiny day, I 
can see something just above the briers daz- 
zling and dancing in the air. They tell me this 
is Lazy Lawrence. If I knew it was him, I'd 
fix him. I'd get me about a dozen number one 
buckshot and I would put them in a tin can 
and tie it to his tail, I'd give him a good scare 

,[208] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

so he would not bother me any more. When 
I see him I commence to sweating even before 
I commence picking and the sweat runs down 
in my eyes and I can't half see and I look in 
my cup and the June-bugs and blackberries are 
about half and half. I'd rather have blackber- 
ries than dewberries, but if I have to pick 
them, I could do without either one. Dew- 
berries make the best jelly, but blackberries 
make the best wine. 

But give me some blackberry wine, 
Then you'll see me cut a shine. 



UPS AND DOWNS. 

I hear people talking about this or that man 
getting broke up. A man can get broke down 
easy enough, but I don't see how he can get 
broke back up again. A man may have ups 
and downs. This is almost the worst disease 
I know of, and there is no one but what has 
it to some extent. It is not easily cured and if 
cured it is liable to come back again at any 
moment. Most always comes unexpected. In 
having the ups and downs the downs have the 
majority. There ought to be a remedy for this 
disease, but the best remedy I know is to stay 
up when you get up, for just as sure as you 
come down some one else will stick himself up 
[209] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

there. Then you have to get him down before 
you can get back up again. You ask him to 
come down and he says, no, I am not up here 
for nothing. What will you give me to come 
down? You say nothing, well, he says, I will 
just stay up here then. You say, that's my 
place up there. It was yours once, but it is 
mine now. So you see if you get him down 
you have to hire him to come down and this 
is a down hill business, losing a man some 
money. Yet, there are some people that will 
go on and on doing a business of this kind, get- 
ting down and letting another man up and then 
hiring him to come down so he can get back 
up again. But this is a funny world as long 
as a man's money lasts. But to a man that 
has no money, this world is anything else but 
funny. But if a man will work and economise, 

He'll have money to pay for all he buys, 

No man with health needn't want for bread, 

But shoulder his tools and go ahead. 

This is the best advice I can give, 
With a healthy body you can surely live, 
Yes, you can have the fat of the land, 
Now, if you listen you will understand. 



[210]; 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 



THE DIFFERENCE IN A SCULE 

TEACHER AND JES A COMMON 

SCHOLAR. 

''Say, Mose, what's a hole?" "What you ax 
me dat foolish question for? A hole am nuffin* 
with somethin' 'round it." "Well, Mose, now 
youse is a Scule teacher, will you pars dat 
word hole for me?" "A hole am single num- 
ber, case dey is only one in a place, he am de 
possessive case, becase everybody has em." 
"See there is one in my shoe now." "Well, 
now, Mose, please parse de shoe." "Well, a 
shoe is somethin' with a hole in it, it is always 
de plural number becase it takes two to make 
a pair, an am in de possessive case when dey is 
on de feet an am in no case at all when dey is 
off de feet. And dey is in all ob de jenders 
becase horses wear shoes. Now, Jim, you see 
where de difference comes in wif a scule 
teacher and jes a common scholar." 

"Well, Mose, I wanter ax yo another ques- 
tion." "All right, Jim." "Did you ever see a 
cowfrog?" "Not I. Yo is pass me now, Jim, 
on the frog-cow question, explain him fo me." 
"All right, I will; a cow-frog is a bullfrog's 
mammy." 

[211] 



'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



MINE AND JACK SIMMONS' POSSUM 
HUNT. 

One time me and Jack Simmons went a pos- 
sum hunting and we hunted three hours and 
all we had at that time was three little dogs. 
Jack was a little wicked and he says, "Til just 
be doggone if I don't get a possum before day- 
light if I have to catch him myself." Jack 
says, "I am a better dog than airy dog I've got, 
if I ain't no better one, I am a bigger one." 
Then he says here is the way a dog ought to 
do to smell good. Sticking his head down 
close to the ground and going off in a trot on 
his all fours, he went forty or fifty yards that 
way ; not looking up to see where he was going, 
he ran his head against a barbed wire fence. 
Jack fell back and then raised up. I says, 
**Jack, have you got one treed?" "Treed, the 

d " says Jack. 'T wish you would just 

look how my head is bleeding." So I went up to 
him and the blood was all over his face. Jack 
says, "Look at my hat and see if it is cut 
much. I just paid seventy-five cents for that 
hat last week." I told him his hat was not cut 
as bad as his head. He says, *T am glad of it." 
I patched up his head the best I could under 
the circumstances and we went on our hunt, 
but got out of the field into the woods. So 

[212] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Jack kept his head pretty high. The leaves 
were thick on the ground and all at once Jack 
went dawn. There was a hole where a stump 
or an old root had rotted out and the leaves 
lay so thick over it that it could not be seen. 
Jack's left foot went right into it, it strained 
his thigh some but not severely. About this 
time the dogs commenced to bark. Jack was 
up and running to see what they had, but 
he limped very much on his leg, the dogs had 
not treed but was on the trail. The moon was 
beginning to rise and it was some lighter than 
it had been. Where the dogs were trailing was 
in a very thickety place, but Jack is never out- 
done, so he pushed aside the undergrowth, 
grapevine, brush and weeds and on he went. 
Vv^hen he got into where the dogs were, then 
Jack hallowed to me, he says, *T smell him, 
you needn't come, it is nothing but doggone 
old skunk." Then he came out to where I was, 
he says, "Ji'^ Mitchell has one good possum 
dog, I am going to offer him all three of mine 
for his and if he don't swap that way, I will 
give him som.e boot, if I keep mine any longer, 
I will feed them on skunks until they quit tree- 
ing them." Then I told Jack we had better get 
towards home as we were having such bad 
luck and it was getting so late. He says, 'T 
tell you I am going to get a possum before I 
sleep any." So I saw I would have to follow 
him all night if he did not get a possum. 
Then we struck out over some level timber 
[213] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

land until we got near the foot of the moun- 
tain, then we stopped to listen for the dogs 
but could not hear them anywhere. While we 
were standing and listening Jack says, 'It 
seems to me like I see something in that tree 
there." I do see something and we got up a 
little closer and sure enough there was a big 
old possum sitting upon a short limb about 
twelve or fifteen feet high, A small grapevine 
had run up the tree with a few scattering 
grapes here and there on it. This was why he 
was up there. I says, "J^^k, call your dogs." 
Let 'em go, doggone 'em. I'll catch that pos- 
sum myself and then we will go home. Then 
he went to the tree and commenced to climb, 
he got up to where he could reach him and 
took him by the tail or handle, he says, "Come 
here, Mr. Possum, you are my meat." Then he 
started to come down with his possum, the old 
possum began to growl and trying to turn up 
to his hand. All at once Jack's hold gave way 
and Jack and possum both fell. Jack had on 
corduroy pants and they caught on a knot 
somewhere near the seat. They held his 
weight a little bit, then there was a rent in the 
pants and down come Jack with his possum, 
leaving a strip of his pants about three feet 
long hanging on the knot. Then Jack hal- 
lowed to me to bring him a needle. I told him 
I had a needle but I did not know whether he 
could sew with it or not. He says, ''I am not 
particular, so it is a needle, I can sew a little 
[214] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

with any kind of a needle.'* He says, "I am 
compelled to sew some." So I took the needle 
to him and it was a Spanish needle. Well, he 
got so mad he cussed the whole Spanish gov- 
ernment out and said I was a fool, but as I 
had took him the needle, I took the fool too. 
He said it had always been his luck to have 
trouble and satisfaction all his life. I reckon 
he must have meant trouble and affliction, as 
I didn't want to talk to him any more right 
then. But as 'twas in the night we got home 
all right with the possum, but I never went 
with Jack any more. 



CHILDHOOD, MIDDLE AND OLD AGE. 

The mind of man is the compass that guides 
him through this life. The Holy Ghost is the 
magnet by which the compass is moved. Con- 
scious mind is an active compass. This body 
is the ship that is to be guided safely to land 
or sunk to the depths of the ocean. 

As the mind is, so is the man. Always 
mindful of what is good, forgetting and put- 
ting out of the mind every evil thought and 
thing, makes a good man. But harboring and 
putting into action evil thoughts, makes a bad 
man, and will grow and grow on him until he 
becomes to be a perfect devil, and then his 

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''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

ship is sunk to the bottom of the ocean, to rise 
no more forever. 

Childhood is the beginning and construction 
of this ship and if well constructed it will out- 
ride all the storms of this life and will come 
into port safe and sound. If in the construc- 
tion there are weak places, there is danger of 
this ship being foundered and lost. 

Now, the greatest blessing and the best for- 
tune ever given to son or daughter by father 
or mother is their early training while from 
four to six and to ten years old. I mean to 
teach it while young of God and of heaven, 
and hell, and of Jesus and his Gospel, of the 
commandments of God and how God loves 
good children and how he hates evil doings, 
etc., etc. For I tell you that the early impres- 
sions made on a child's mind by parents will 
never be forgotten as long as that child lives, 
and will be a guide and a stay to keep it from 
being shipwrecked on the ocean of life. There 
are none of us doing our duty toward our 
children at the proper time. Childhood is the 
proper time and there is no time just as good. 
If our children had this early and proper train- 
ing, we would almost have no use for jails and 
asylums and penitentiaries, etc., and the great 
sin of omission of the parents would be blotted 
out, for I tell you the many people that raise 
up their children in this world is a sin and a 
great sin at that, and they certainly can see it 
if they would only stop to think a minute. 

[216] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

Another thing I want to say is that the 
spirit of the Holy Ghost is always acting con- 
tinually on a child when young. Because the 
child is pure and has no sin to answer for, for 
they are of the Kingdom of Heaven. This 
Holy Spirit clings to a child on up to man- 
hood or womanhood and strives to aid or as- 
sist the child and to encourage it in all that 
is good and with the co-operation of the par- 
ents will always succeed, and as it grows into 
manhood or womanhood, there is a foundation 
laid for future life that cannot hardly be over- 
thrown, and it is much better prepared to go 
out into the world and face the evils of this 
day and time, which are many, and then if 
they will associate in good society and not as- 
sociate with the bad, which is hard to do, I 
will insure him or her a safe journey through 
life, and the best of all a happy ending. But 
in case he has to associate with all the bad 
people and all the evil things of life, he has a 
much better chance to come out conqueror in 
the end. 

And now, we come to manhood and woman- 
hood. I have heard the remark by men sev- 
eral times, that we come in the world and 
could not help ourselves. But I say we will 
go out of it and cannot help ourselves. But 
the time to help ourselves is while we are in 
the world and while we have strength and 
health and wisdom from on High and the 
Holy Ghost is with us to teach and to guide us 
[217] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

in the right way. Now, I say that man in this 
stage of life has the strongest and the bright- 
est impressions made on his mind than he does 
at any other part of his Hfe, and he is com- 
pelled to make a decision or almost compelled 
to make a decision for God or for bad, and 
put into action which ever way he decides to 
go and if he ever does anything for God and his 
cause, it must be done at this age, under fifty 
years, at the furtherest, twenty-five to fifty 
years being the brightest in intellect and the 
most powerful in strength of man's existence. 
Because God says that his Spirit shall not al- 
ways strive with man and after he passes this 
age, the Holy Ghost gradually withdraws un- 
less he is a good Christian man. 

And in this case he goes with him unto the 
end. "What I mean is, if the Holy Spirit has 
not accomplished anything in the man up to 
this age, it is hardly probable that he will, and 
a man in this condition at this stage of life is 
to be pitied, then when he passes this age he 
is on the decline of life and untold and unex- 
pected troubles come unawares upon him and 
he is not prepared for them, consequently 
they give him sorrow and pain and vexation 
of spirit. While on the other hand, if he had 
been a servant of the Lord and had spent the 
best part of his life in doing God's will and 
had lived a righteous life, he could and would 
be able to stand all the vexation of a declining 
life, if it should come upon him. Yet, the man 

[218] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

who has lived upright before God and the 
world, is almost if not altogether sure to end 
his existence in this life with the happiest 
days of all his life. 

One other thing I want to call your atten- 
tion to right here is to listen, listen, listen, 
do you hear me? 

How do we look with interest after the 
things of this life. Material things, and let 
our souls and children suffer for want of nour- 
ishment. Can you not give more time and at- 
tention to spiritual matters? I tell you we are 
too worldly-minded. We need not starve nor 
go bare for clothing to do this, we would have 
almost as much or if we did not, we would be 
much better off spiritually. Extreme poverty 
is bad, but poverty, not in the extreme is good 
for any man, and will even teach him much 
more than you would suppose, and not only 
teach but be a real benefit to him in helping 
him to be a good man in the sight of God, and 
a great benefit to his fellowmen, and will assist 
him to love his neighbor as himself, to be a 
good citizen, beloved by all, to serve God with 
his means as well as his heart, to die a happy 
death and get home to heaven at last, where 
it will be said to him, "as much as you have 
been good to one of the least of these, you 
have been good to me." 



![2i9]: 



^'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



SUICIDES. 

When a man is downcast, when a man is 
sad, when any kind of trouble overtakes him, 
it is hard, but when, also, he is sick or infirm, 
or in some way not able to work, and then on 
top of all this he is poor, not a dust of flour, 
not a speck of meal, not a bite of meat in the 
house, living on rented land and rents due and 
unpaid, not sufficient clothing, a wife to care 
for, and winter coming on. Oh, so sad. Then 
is he responsible for suiciding? Yes, yet, he 
may not think so, but he makes a mistake if 
he does. When God created man, he pro- 
nounced him good, and man was the capstone 
of God's creative wisdom, and he gave to man 
a knowledge and a reasoning power above 
every other creature on the earth, and gave 
him control and power over all things on the 
earth and made him in his own image and Hke- 
ness. 

And to this he gave him one or more tal- 
ents, which means sparks or a small part of 
the everlasting God himself. He gave him 
these for the purpose of improving himself, 
and making himself better, as God had made 
himself in the same way. This is God's way 
of creation. Oh, wonderful work ! When you 
commit suicide you fling the talent he gave 
[220] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

you back in the face of the living God, as if to 
say, take that that is thine own, for thou wast 
a hard master and I could not work under 
thee. Then he is cast out into outer darkness, 
there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. Oh, 
foolish man. Who shall deliver thee? When 
you mock your God and fling your soul back 
into his face, nothing but God's mercy can de- 
liver that man. Oh, says one, we come into 
the world and could not help ourselves, yes, 
and we will go out and cannot help ourselves. 
But the time to help ourselves is while we are 
here, and have health and strength and the 
Holy Spirit from on High to teach us. 

Suiciding is the work of the devil. When 
Judas betrayed Christ he was tempted by the 
devil to do so. The devil told him he was do- 
ing right or that it would be all right, that 
there was money in it. As soon as it was done 
the devil comes and tells him that he had done 
a great wrong and that he should not have 
done it, then Judas was so wrought up over the 
matter and the sin he had committed that he 
went and hanged himself, a thing he had no 
idea of doing when he betrayed the Saviour. 
So are thousands of people tempted to-day. 
They kill some one, a friend or foe, a wife or 
a husband, a child or father or mother. As 
soon as it is done, then, like a flash of light- 
ning, it comes to him, well I have done this 
deed, I don't want to live any longer and 
down he brings himself with the same smok- 

[221] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

ing revolver. When he first thought of doing 
this deed he did not think the first time of be- 
ing one of the victims himself. 

Now, I don't say this is the case every time, 
but many times it is so. You see in giving 
away to one act of doing wrong or committing 
murder brings on the other before he can take 
thought or even get his wits together. He is 
also in the hands of the devil who prompts him 
just at the right time, and keeps him going 
while he has him under his influence. Oh, the 
devil, the devil, the devil, I wish he was dead 
forever. Now, these are facts that cannot be 
denied. No one should take his life rashly or 
without being sober minded, and not then, 
never at all, at any time. He should think and 
study and pray, and if he would do this, he 
will get farther away from it and in the mean- 
time will reflect and rejoice that he had missed 
such a rash and awful deed. It is a good thing 
many times for a man to have trouble and dis- 
appointments so as to bring him to his com- 
mon senses and help him to work out his own 
salvation with fear and trembling. 

If mercy could reach such souls we would all 
be glad. I hope it can, because the balance of 
us would have a better showing for mercy, but 
alas, I fear such is not the case. But I want to 
say that if any one who reads this should have 
any idea of taking his or her own life, they 
should first reason with God, and get his con- 
sent, which God will not give them, because if 
[222] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

he did, he would be responsible. So you see 
you cannot commit suicide without bearing all 
the responsibility. You say you are poor now 
but once had plenty. Remember God's son 
was poor all the time. You say you are 
afflicted and suffer all the time. Remember 
Job and his afflictions and persecutions, it don't 
matter what your excuse, 'tis no good. Thou- 
sands are worse off than you are. Many have 
died a natural death worse than you. No kind 
of excuse justifies such an act, no kind of trou- 
ble is sufficient, but you should have backbone 
and common sense to resist such an act. 

Go to God if you are weak, he will give you 
strength every time. Under any misfortune he 
will help you. Ask him what to do, ask him to 
keep you steadfast in the right way, and forget 
the world and the works of the devil, which 
has been, your downfall and brought trouble 
and sorrow upon you. God is the only sure 
help, his strength and power can reach your 
case and he alone can strengthen you, for there 
is only one peace that lasts, and that is the 
peace we find in doing God's will and obeying 
his righteous laws. 

So now, I say to all, ye who would be sui- 
cides take the advice of one who has been all 
along a disappointed life, disappointed on 
every hand except the hand of God, and I am 
still living to speak in his name for my poor 
fellow beings who might be weaker than my- 
self. 

[223]. 



'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



LITTLE JENNIE ROGERS, AN 
ADOPTED DAUGHTER. 

Little Jennie Rogers was taken from the 
county poor house and adopted into a family 
of two, Mr. John Rogers and wife. They 
seemed to be very good livers and a peaceable 
and quiet family. Little Jennie was only six 
years old when adopted. Mr. Rogers lived in 
Rogersville, a little town in East Tennessee. 
There were many well-to-do people in this lit- 
tle town, everybody seemed to prosper in 
wealth, and the town grew fast and in time it 
got to be a very fashionable people. But Mr. 
Rogers never seemed to prosper any. The old 
yard fence had stood for forty years, the house 
was dilapidated and in places the planks had 
slipped out of place. It had been painted in 
time but you could not tell it now. Bricks had 
fallen off the top of the chimney and made it 
look ragged, the yard gate was off the hinges, 
many panes of glass had been broke out of the 
windows, the bannisters around the porch had 
fallen down, the yard was grown full of weeds 
and bushes, yet they seemed to live and have 
enough to eat and to wear. While all these 
years were going by, little Jennie was growing 
up. Mrs. Rogers seemed to be a little stingy 
[224] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

and did not clothe little Jennie as well as she 
might have done. 

There was a vacant lot between Mr. Rogers 
and his neighbor, Mr. Robert Smith. Now, 
Mr. Robert Smith was one of the wealthiest 
and most fashionable people in the town and 
he had some two or three small children grow- 
ing up that was somewhere Jennie's age. 
Many times they would meet in the vacant lot 
and play together. Now, while Mr. Smith's 
children were always well clad, little Jennie 
was not. When the sun would shine you could 
see through her thin calico dress and see her 
skin. This was a shame, nevertheless, that is 
the way Mrs. Rogers dressed her. One of Mr. 
Smith's children, little Mary, and Jennie were 
perfect cronies and were together many times 
just by themselves. One day little Jennie was 
barefoot and Mary noticed that one of her lit- 
tle toes was gone. Mary asked Jennie what 
become of her toe. She replied that a hog bit 
it off when she was a little baby. Mary says, 
"How do you know?" She says, "Ma told me 
so." "Well, who is your ma?" "I don't know 
now, I can't recollect." Well, one day these 
two little girls and little Robert Smith were 
playing together and little Robert got offended 
at little Jennie and he told her that she was 
dirty and ragged and said him and his father 
lived in a fine house and for her to go back to 
her old broken down house and stay there. 
Then after that Jennie and Mary would meet 
[225] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

and play. Jennie seemed to be very much hurt 
about what Robert had said to her, but Mary 
told her not to mind what Robert said, that 
Robert was not the boss and said she would 
slip away from him when she come to play. 
Then one sunshiny day Jennie and Mary was 
having a big time playing and Mary's mother 
happened to see them playing together and 
Mrs. Smith called Mary. Little Jennie stood 
and watched her till she got in the house, then 
Mrs. Smith shut the door. Mrs. Smith told 
Mary she should not go out there any more to 
play, that she ought to think herself above 
such trash as that. Little Jennie came out to 
the play place several times in the course of 
the next month. She would stand and look 
over at Mr. Smith's house, but the door next to 
her was always shut. At last she got tired 
coming and she stood and looked a long time 
and the tears run out of her eyes and dropped 
on the ground, then she says, "Oh, Mary, I 
reckon you is gone for good this time, who can 
I play with now." About a year after that, 
little Mary took sick and lay a long time, but 
little Jennie did not know of her sickness. At 
last Mary said to her mother, "Mother, I wish 
you would send over and tell little Jennie to 
come over, I want to see her." Her mother 
says, "She couldn't do you any good." 

Well, I know she can't, and no one can do 
me any good, mother, but I want to see Jennie 
so bad. Her mother sent for her and Jennie 
[226] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

come. She went up to little Mary's bedside 
and kissed her and she says, *'Mary are you 
much sick?" Mary says, "Yes, I am very sick 
and I will not be well any more." Jennie says, 
"Are you going to die, Mary?" Mary says, 
"Yes, Jennie, I cannot be here but a little 
while, but I know I am sure of heaven." Well, 
if I be a good girl, and when I come to heaven, 
will you let me play with you up there? Yes, 
Jennie, we will play in heaven and no one can 
scold us there, for nobody is allowed to get 
mad in heaven. Then Jennie says, "Do you 
want me to pray for you, Mary?" "Yes, if you 
will." Little Jennie says, kneeling down, "Oh, 
God, do let little Mary get well if it pleases 
you, if it please you, it please me, too. Oh 
God, if you can't let her get well, will you take 
her up to heaven, and I will be a good girl and 
when I come to heaven we will play in big, 
fine houses together. Amen." 

Then little Jennie says, "Good by, Mary, I 
must go home." She had not been gone only a 
few minutes until little Mary passed away. So 
little Jennie prevailed on her parents to let 
her go to the funeral, which they did. After 
she came home from the burying she told her 
parents that she was very sorry that Mary 
Smith was dead, but that she had cleared 
her skirts, she had done all she could do. 

Now, as I said, this little Jennie was taken 
from the county poor house, but I must tell 
you how she came there. Mr. Rogers had 
[227] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

been down South on some business and while 
down there, there had been a great flood in the 
Mississippi River and had washed a good many 
houses and people away. A house was found 
on an island almost intact, and in it was found 
this little girl. She supposed that all the bal- 
ance of her family were drowned but her and 
she could not tell her name only Jennie and 
said her pa's name was John and her ma's name 
was Mary. 

So Mr. Rogers felt very sorry for her and 
concluded to bring her home with him. But 
Mr. Rogers was a kind of miser and was very 
stingy and when he got near home in the 
county he got out of the notion of keeping her, 
as he thought she would be a great expense 
after awhile. So he come on to the county 
poor house and told them that she had no 
father nor mother and that he was not 
able to keep her. So they took her 
in, and then when Mr. Rogers got 
home he told his wife about this little girl 
she begged him to go and get her and adopt 
her as one of the family, as they had no chil- 
dren of their own. But he declined to do so 
for several months, but at last agreed to do 
so. Now, after little Mary Smith died, years 
went by and Jennie was going to school and 
growing up into womanhood and while she had 
been scant of clothes and sunburnt in former 
days, she was now being better cared for and 
her clothes made more in fashion and she was 
[228] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

looked on as one among the prettiest girls of 
the whole neighborhood. Her associates had 
got to be of the best of people, yet, her educa- 
tion was only moderate. Now, little Robbie 
Smith had got to be grown and a fine young 
man. He had never associated up to this time 
any more with Jennie since the day that him 
and his sister Mary had played together on the 
day of his and Jennie's quarrel, if you would 
call it a quarrel. But now, he was his own 
man and could not help loving this Jennie 
girl, her fine form and her twinkling eyes, her 
round face, and rosy cheeks just made him long 
to talk with her. While she had other suitors 
equally as good as Robert she would give him 
a sly glance every now and then. So one day 
at a picnic Mr. Robert for the first time ap- 
proached her and conversed with her. He 
thought he had never seen a more beautiful 
thing in life than she was. Had he been thun- 
derstruck, he could not have felt much more 
surprised on account of the memory of their 
last conversation years ago. He did not know 
what to say, he thought about the time he had 
offended her when she was a little ragged girl, 
and how could he now ask her to allow him the 
privilege of associating with her, when he 
could not bear her company while she was so 
young and ragged. But time went on and Mrs. 
Rogers took sick and lingered some time and 
died, then Mr. Rogers had no one to look after 
his clothes and washing and cooking so he had 
[229] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

to find another girl to stay with Jennie, which 
was expensive as he thought. But Mr. Rogers 
was an old miser and was almost a millionaire, 
but no one knew it but Jennie. After Mr. 
Rogers' wife died he took Jennie into his con- 
fidence, he told her that he had eight or nine 
hundred thousand dollars and told her that 
when he died it would all be hers and he told 
her to look in his side pocket and she would 
find a paper with the amount on it and the 
paper would tell just where she could find the 
money as he did not have it in the bank. Said 
he did not believe in banks no way, that they 
were always busting themselves. So Jennie 
was healed at last. Now, Robert still made 
some headway with Jennie and the time had 
come with him that he must let her know his 
business. So one day him and Jennie were 
talking and Robert says, "Jennie, you have 
learned me a great lesson." Jennie says, "How 
could I learn you anything, when you are a 
much better scholar than I am ?" The lesson you 
have learned me, I will never forget, and that 
is not to think myself better than any one else 
because they are poor and ragged or because I 
may know more than they do, because the time 
will come when it will turn the tables on him. 
I did think once that I was better than you, 
and that I was smarter and richer than you 
and that you was not good enough for my com- 
pany, but of course, this was a childish 
thought, but I want to tell you I was badly 
l[23o] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

mistaken and I confess to you that it was my 
ignorance that made me think thus, and I now 
ask your forgiveness. Will you forgive me, 
Jennie? Well, Robert, as you have acknov^l- 
edged the corn I will still be as good as I ever 
was and will freely forgive you. Well, now 
Jennie as you have condescended to forgive me 
I will tell you all. I have many times wished 
to talk more with you but this was a barrier 
between you and I and I have suffered long 
for it. Now, would you condescend to let me 
help you along through life and be by your 
side all the time, be by my side all the time? 
I don't know what you mean. I mean to be 
with you all the time. Well, I don't under- 
stand you yet. Well, I mean to marry you 
now, can you understand that? Now, Robert, 
you wouldn't want to marry as poor a girl as I 
am, would you? Well, I would be so glad of 
the chance. Would you be really glad? I 
would, and would marry you at the drop of a 
hat and drop the hat myself. Well, Robert 
you may drop the hat. So they set the time 
for the wedding which was six months off. 
Robert's folks were not willing for the match, 
and told him it did look like he ought to do 
better than that, but Robert said he never 
could do any better, nor he did not wish to do 
any better, and was not going to try to do any 
better. By and by, time went on and the wed- 
ding day was nigh. Robert's folks would not 
make any preparations for the wedding, so 
[[231] 



'^ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

they were married over at Mr. Rogers. Mr. 
Rogers dismissed his hired girl and Mr. Robert 
Smith hired her over again and they all lived 
together and Mr. Rogers v^ras well pleased be- 
cause he had nothing to look after and did not 
have to spend money. So they lived for sev- 
eral years in this style and Mr. Rogers was old 
and he was very feeble and one day he took 
sick suddenly and before a doctor could be 
brought he died. Mrs. Smith, as she was then, 
went and looked in Mr. Rogers' side pocket 
and found the paper stating the amount of 
money on hand and where to find it. On the 
paper at the bottom was written, ''Miss Jennie 
all this I bequeath to thee, good by, little girl." 
Then when the funeral was over, in a few days 
she called Mr. Smith to her side and he sat 
down. She says I have a letter for you to 
read. Mr. Smith took the paper from her hand 
and read it as follows ; 

"My dear little Jennie — I have nine hundred 
and twenty thousand and fifty dollars. Look 
in the front corner on the right hand side of 
my smokehouse; buried in the ground about 
one foot deep in an iron box, you will find the 
gold." Never was a man more surprised than 
Mr. Smith. He thought about what his mother 
had said to him about doing better and what 
he had said that he did not want to do any 
better, but what I meant was she was good 
enough and too good for me, even if she had not 
had a dollar, but this was beyond all expecta- 

l.[232]j 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

tion. Now, this Mr. Smith's father was named 
Robert and young Robert was named for his 
father. Robert Smith, senior, had a brother, 
John Smith, who lived at Vicksburg, Miss., 
and they had not visited each other for twenty- 
five or thirty years. So one day Mr. John 
Smith from Vicksburg come in at Mr. Robert 
Smith's, senior, and in their conversation 
about things in general Mr. John was telling 
about the great freshet they had at Vicksburg 
in eighteen hundred and seventy-two, and of 
hundreds of houses washed away and many 
people being drowned and among the houses 
washed away, his own house and his little girl 
Jennie, six years old, was washed away with 
the house and drowned. Mr. Robert's face 
turned red at this and he did not know what 
to say, so he did not say anything more about 
the matter for some time, but could not get it 
off his mind a minute. Now, this little girl 
was found several miles below New Orleans 
in an old house, as I said before, and the sup- 
position was that all the balance of the family 
were drowned but her. So Mr. John Smith 
thought he would go over and see his nephew. 
He stayed several days with young Robert and 
he noticed that Robert's wife's name was Jen- 
nie, he noticed, too, her features. He began to 
think, he asked his nephew where his wife was 
raised and who she was. Robert told him she 
was raised here in Rogersville and that her 
name was Rogers, then Mr. Smith asked him 
[233] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

no more questions. But he thought very 
strange. Robert would have told his uncle 
that she v^as an adopted child, but he did not 
think or care about his uncle knowing this and 
the conversation ended there. But when Mr. 
John Smith went back to Mr. Robert, senior 
to prepare for going home, Mr. Robert could 
not stand the strain any longer. So he said 
you say one of your children was drowned in 
the great freshet of seventy-two? Yes, little 
Jennie, six years old, was washed away with 
the house. Did you learn Robert's wife's name 
while you were over there? Yes, they said her 
name was Jennie and there is something 
strange about her. Well, says Robert, did you 
know that she was an adopted child? No, he 
did not tell me that. Well, Mr. Rogers got her 
down on the Mississippi below New Orleans 
and brought her home and adopted her. Lord, 
I will have to go back over there, it is my 
daughter. She has just got one little toe. 
When she could just set alone an old sow we 
had one day while she was sitting in the yard, 
ran up and bit one of her little toes, so it had 
to be amputated. So I must go and see her. 

Mr. John came back to see Robert the sec- 
ond time, and he asked him if his wife had one 
of her little toes off on her right foot, and 
Robert says, Yes. Well, his uncle says, **Rob- 
ert, you have married your own first cousin." 
Well, I don't know how that is, but I knew 
that she was something to me, and something 
I234] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

about her that was mysterious, I always felt 
that way. Then he went into the house and 
he says to Mrs. Smith, "Let papa see your 
foot, your right foot." She says, "Are you not 
Robert's uncle?" Yes, and I am your father, 
too. You surely are not? Yes, I am, and when 
you was a baby at home the old sow bit off 
your right little toe or so near off that we had 
to cut it off. That is all I can recollect about 
home. You told me lots of times the old hog 
got my toe. Oh, papa, I didn't never expect to 
see you again, and she put her arms around 
him and embraced him. So this story ends 
with all joy and happiness and teaches us 'tis 
not so bad at last for cousins to marry. 



THE INFLUENCE OF MONEY OVER 

THE INNOCENT; OR, LITTLE 

ROSE LILLY. 

FIRST SECTION. 

Little Rosey Lilly was the daughter of a 
poor, ordinary farmer, rather old-style folks, 
but were honest, straightforward people as the 
country aft'orded. They were strictly church- 
going people and little Rosey was a Sunday 
school scholar of note. She always had her les- 
sons up well. She was loved by all her class- 
mates and her teacher. When she was about 
[235] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

fifteen years old her parents missed her one 
day for dinner and she was not to be found 
anywhere. The neighborhood was searched by 
her friends, but nowhere was she to be found. 
Many were the suppositions of what had be- 
come of her, all was conjecture. Weeks and 
months of grief and sorrow and uneasiness of 
the parents passed away and nothing could be 
heard of her. By and by her parents gave up 
all hopes of ever seeing or hearing from her 
any more, so they attended the church as ever 
with saddened hearts that no one knows any- 
thing about except the ones who suffer under 
similar circumstances. 

Little Rosey was rather small for her age. 
One day she was studying about herself and 
her parents being so poor in this world's 
goods. She conceived the idea of going away 
and working for her own living, also in time to 
be able to save some money and aid her par- 
ents when they might need her help the worst. 
So she set out one morning awhile after break- 
fast. She traveled the back ways, being ac- 
quainted with the surrounding country, she 
kept out of sight till dark. Then she struck the 
main road to Rogersville, Tennessee. When 
she came in sight of the town, she took round 
it, as she could not afford to take the train at 
that place, as it was the terminal point of a 
short arm of the Southern Railway from Rog- 
ersville to Bullsgap, a distance of only sixteen 
miles. So she concluded to walk on to the 

[236] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

main line. She walked all night, about day- 
light she came to a place or near the little town 
of Whitesburg, which is on the main line of 
the Southern Railroad. She had taken with 
her a small poke of victuals, enough to do her 
for a few days, then she hid herself for the 
day, not in the woods, as most of us would 
have done, but in the centre of a sagefield until 
night came on again. 

Then she started again for Knoxville, Ten- 
nessee, having the Southern Railroad and tele- 
graph line for a guide. She traveled hard all 
night with the intention of reaching Knoxville 
on that and the succeeding night, which was 
about fifty miles distant, and then she would 
take the train for the great city of New 
York. Yes, she would take the train, a 
thing she had never seen until that 
night. She struck the Southern Railroad 
at Whitesburg. She saw the express at a little 
distance and thought it was so grand. When 
morning came she secreted herself as before in 
an old field until night came on again. She^ 
was a very good girl, but she was not use to 
no such as this, the day seemed long and lone- 
some and she thought she would pray. This 
was the first time she had taken a serious 
thought of her home and her parents she had 
left behind. She was waiting for night to 
come again so she could go on her journey, 
but she could not get her mind off her home 
until night came. She was now in the neigh- 
[237] 



'^ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

borhood of Strawberry Plains, but the berries 
gave out and they call it now Straw Plains, 
which is sixteen miles east of Knoxville. So 
she reached Knoxville that morning a while 
before daylight, not being used to a city and a 
perfect stranger to every one, she sat down on 
the curb rock to rest and think what to do. 
Think of a young lady sitting on a curbstone. 
She says, "I am only about one hundred miles 
from home and it won't do for me to stop here 
because they will soon find me out and then I 
will have to go back home again, but I will try 
to get work here for a short time, then I can 
go on to New York City and they will not find 
me there until I get ready to come back my- 
self. Now, as it was light enough to see good, 
she went on into the main part of the city to 
inquire for work. No one could tell her of any 
work to do. She traveled all day long and 
when night come, she did not know where to 
go till morning. She had money she saved by 
littles, but she wanted to keep it to buy a 
ticket to New York, still she did not know 
where to stay. Long after dark, a policeman 
came along and found her walking the street 
and asked her business out so late. She told 
him she was a stranger in the city and was 
hunting work. The policeman told her she 
must go to the station till morning and then he 
would help her to find work. Next morning 
the policeman told her he had found her a job. 
He said that Cowan, McClung & Co. wanted 
[238] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

a typewriter. Oh la, she says, I cannot do any 
thing like that, I am not a scholar. Then he 
took her to the Brookside cotton mills and she 
got work at once, this was something she was 
not use to doing, but she got along all right at 
it. She told them all at the mills that her name 
was Alia Goodman. She soon got acquainted 
with her sister workers and the proprietor of 
the mills. She was very well contented and 
known as little Alia. She had been there about 
six months when Mr. Bradshaw, the pro- 
prietor, was watching her work closer than 
usual. He would watch her little slender hand 
and her fingers so quick and nimble, also her 
fine form. He at once fell in love with her and 
was so struck with her beauty that he had to 
turn himself away for the time being. Mr. 
Bradshaw was a married man, was in a quan- 
dary what to do or say to her. But he con- 
cluded to cut the thing short and that he would 
take no more notice of her. But this kind of 
resolution has been set by thousands of people, 
thousands of times, and has been as many 
times broken. In a few days his temptation 
came on again and he could not resist it, but 
commenced a conversation with her at once. 
He asked her of her parents and where she 
was raised and why she left home, etc. But, of 
course, she would not tell him all these things, 
but she was smart enough to catch on to what 
Mr. Bradshaw meant by his conversation. Pay 
day was only a few days off, which was on the 
[239] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

fifteenth of the month. So she prepared her 
clothing and got in readiness. When she was 
paid off she told Mr. Bradshaw that she was 
not feeling very well and she would like to 
rest up a few days. Mr. Bradshaw readily 
agreed to this, thinking that if she was out of 
his sight a while it would be easier for him to 
wear ofif his spell of love for her. But instead 
of resting and looking over the city, she took 
the train for New York City the same day, 
and no one knew where she had gone. Arriv- 
ing in New York she was again puzzled to 
know what to do. She rambled a day or two 
in the city without any success. Meeting at last 
a middle aged man on the street, she asked 
him if he knew of any work she could get to 
do. He says, ''Madam, what kind of work can 
you do?" She says, "I am not very well edu- 
cated, but am a good hand at any kind ot 
household work." He told her then that his 
wife was not very stout and needed some help 
occasionally and if she would, she might go 
and stay with her a while until she could get 
a better place." She says, "And please, what is 
your name?" He says, "My name is Stonewall 
Broadway." So she concluded to go and Mr. 
Broadway conducted her to his home. 

SECOND SECTION. 

Mrs. Broadway, upon meeting her, liked her 
looks very well and seemed pleased with her 
[240] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

and asked her her name. Alia told her her 
name was Alia Goodman, but they called her 
Alia all the time and that she was from Knox- 
ville, Tennessee. 

Now, when Mr. Bradshaw found out she had 
left Knoxville, he told the other hands that he 
was glad she was gone, but said he did hope 
she would find a good place. He said he was 
glad and yet, he was not flad, she was gone. 
He said on one account he would have been 
glad to have kept her. He said she was a per- 
fect ambidexter, that he had no other hand in 
the mill equal to her, then he walked ofif and 
was heard to remark rather to himself, "Yes, I 
guess she would have ambidextered me if she 
had stayed on. Oh, she was so lovely, but I 
hope to see her again." As time went on he 
would think of her in spite of all he could do. 
A bad fix to be in. Alia had been at Mr. 
Broadway's in New York City six or eight 
months and was liking her home very well, 
but Mr. Broadway had got himself in the same 
kind of a trap as Mr. Bradshaw had at Knox- 
ville and was studying how to approach her. 
He had petted her some and gave her some 
presents ; he was a millionaire. But he had 
never talked to her about any kind of love. He 
had set apart a room in his house and fur- 
nished it for her and it was called Alla's room. 
Many times she would be in there alone. 

One day Mr. Broadway asked her if she did 
not get lonesome in her room alone so much. 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

She says, '*Yes, I do, Mr. Broadway, and I feel 
very bad when I study over my past experi- 
ence." This conversation was in Alla's room 
on the Sabbath morning. Then Mr. Broadway 
says to Miss Alia, ''Miss Alia, I have a broad 
way of doing business and, as you know, I am 
a millionaire, you know I can afford it. I 
want to make you a present of a check this 
morning of two hundred thousand dollars. 
Will you accept it?" Well, Mr. Broadway, 
why should I accept it? I have not earned this 
amount, have I ? I shall give it to you if you 
will accept it. Well, I have no business to ac- 
cept it, but, Mr. Broadway, you are tempting 
me more than I can bear, two hundred thou- 
sand dollars is too great a temptation. I am 
almost ready to say I will accept it. I cer- 
tainly cannot refuse this amount of money. 
Here is your check. Then she took the check 
to the bank in a few days and got it cashed. 
She hardly knew what to do with so much 
money. She studied over the matter for sev- 
eral days. Then she called Mr. Broadway in 
as he was passing through the hall and says 
to him, ''Mr. Broadway, I want to make you 
a present of two hundred thousand dollars." 
He says, "You must be well to do, that you 
can afford to give such a gift at once," and then 
Mr. Broadway says, "I cannot and will not ac- 
cept it." Then she raised up and walked right 
up to him and says, "I accepted such a gift 
from you and how much better are you than I 
I242]. 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

am." He says, "You are a thousand times bet- 
ter than I am in my estimation, but if you will 
take that money and put it in your pocket and 
throw yourself in with the gift, then I will ac- 
cept the gift." At the same time he put his 
arms around her and held her so tight she 
could not move until he turned her loose, then 
he says to her, *'I told you I had broad ways, 
now will you believe me?" She says, "Lord, 
and I reckon I do believe." But I hope you do 
not intend to repeat any more such as this? 
Then he says, "If I get along all right at this, 
I will." She says, "Will you please retire." 
Yes, madam, I will. I will do anything you 
say for me to do. Then Mr. Broadway retired 
from the room. She shut the door and sat 
down. Then she says, "What in the world am 
I going to do with this man? I had to leave 
the mills on account of Mr. Bradshaw, but this 
Broadway-Shaw, what am I going to do with 
him?" I think he does have broad ways, he 
has the right name if ever any one did. But 
his wife, she is so good and lovely. She is so 
good to me. Now, what in this world am I to 
do. He has made me rich enough for any one 
to be and what to do with him I don't know 
to save my life. If he did not have such a 
broad way of doing things, I'd let him do on, 
but his ways are too broad for me. Well, I'll 
stay a while longer and see how we get along. 
It does seem to me like I can't get a home that 
I can keep in peace, but what the man of the 
[243] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

house is all the time trying to, no not trying 
to, but falling in love with me. Yet, they have 
wives of their own. (I was poor, but not 
now.) I have no education, I am not refined 
in any way, I hardly have got good manners ; 
as to etiquette, I don't know it, and what in 
the world makes the men so foolish about me, 
I can't tell. Sometimes I have a notion to 
cross the wide ocean. It 'twas not for that sea 
sickness I would, but I would rather die than 
to have it. Mr. Broadway is a grand old man. 
Let's see, I am seventeen and he is forty-five 
years old, that is twenty-eight years difference 
in our ages. He is more than twice as old as 
I am, nearly three times. 

Lord, wouldn't I feel cheap with a man that 
old. Well, what am I thinking about anyway, 
he has a wife, shucks. I'll just make up my 
mind now. I'll go out into society, and when 
a nice young man twenty or twenty-five years 
old, takes a liking to me, I'll encourage him, 
that's just what I'll do, and let the old gentle- 
man slip before he knows it. Yes, that's what 
I'll do. 'Twas not long after this till she was 
invited to a social at Mr. Laylocks, in honor 
of their son's return from Europe, where he 
had gone as a government detective. So she 
accepted the invitation and went and when 
they all came out to supper, she was intro- 
duced to the detective, a young man of twenty- 
three years of age. (Mr. John H. Laylock.) 
Mr. Laylock looked at her in a very quiet and 
[244] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

attentive manner, and while he admired her 
beautiful face and form, he thought he had seen 
a face similar to hers before. After supper was 
over Mr. Laylock went to his trunk and got a 
photograph. He compared her face with it 
and they compared exactly. Now, in the 
meantime, Mr. Bradshaw's wife at Knoxville 
had died, and Mr. Bradshaw had been trying 
to find little Alia, as she was called, he had 
been in New York City looking for her. 

But he could find no trace of her there, but 
while in New York looking for Alia he ran 
across Mr. Laylock departing for Europe. 
Finding out from Mr. Laylock that he was a 
detective, he made a contract with him to find 
Alia if she was in Europe or anywhere he 
might find her. But before Mr. Bradshaw had 
gone to New York, he had found out where 
Alla's parents lived, which was about fifteen 
miles east of Rogersville, Tennessee, and he 
told them his business, that he was looking for 
little Alia and he told them that she had 
worked in his mills at Knoxville, but that he 
did not know where she was now. This was 
the first time her parents had ever heard of 
her since she had left her home, but they could 
not understand why she had changed her name 
from Rosa Lilly to Alia Goodman, so they 
were proud to know that Mr. Bradshaw was 
hunting her up and did hope he would find her, 
so they gave him the only photograph that had 
ever been taken of her. 

[245] 



'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 



SECTION THREE. 

Then when Mr. Bradshaw was in New York 
and saw Mr. Laylock departing for Europe, he 
gave the picture to Mr. Laylock that he might 
be sure when he found her that he was right. 
Now, Mr. Bradshaw had told Mr. Laylock that 
if he would find her and let him know, that he 
would pay him the sum of twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars for his trouble, provided she was 
single and not married. Then when Mr. Lay- 
lock made his comparison after supper, he 
found that he was right. Then he got a little 
private conversation with her and showed her 
the photograph. She knew the picture on sight 
and was so much surprised at seeing it, that 
she fainted and fell. Mr. Laylock picked her 
up and asked her what was wrong, but she 
could not speak for a few minutes. Then she 
asked him how he came by her photo. He had 
a job to explain, and he also like the balance, 
had fallen in love with her, then he told her 
that that picture had come to him through the 
hand of Providence and to save her from the 
hand of another. I will tell you all about it 
soon, but I can't tell you now, when and 
where shall I see you next? She told him she 
lived at Mr. Broadways, and gave him her ad- 
dress, and said any day next week I will be 

,[246] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

there, and you may call on me there if you 
wish to do so. And he did wish to do so with 
all his heart. The following week he called at 
Mr. Broadways. She received him all right. 
Mr. Broadway was not at home, but came 
home that evening just as Mr. La3dock was 
departing. Miss Alia says to herself, "To save 
me from another. I hope he will save me from 
Mr. Broadway. My photo may be worth 
something to me yet, I wish I knew how he 
came by it." About this time Mr. Broadway 
walked to Miss Alla's room and called her. 
She answered him and told him to come in. He 
says, "Miss Alia, I have thought of you this 
whole day long and I can't stand it much 
longer." Then he put his arms around her and 
kissed her so quick that she did not know what 
had happened until it was all over. Now, he 
says, you tell me who that man was that just 
left here and what his business is here. She 
says, "Mr. Broadway, your ways are much too 
broad for me, you ought not to treat me so 
mean." He says, "My dear girl, this is the 
best treatment I know, and it certainly is good 
treatment. Now, Miss Alia, for God's sake, 
don't let that fellow come back here any more, 
if he does, me and him will fall out, we will 
have a fuss." She says, "I don't belong to 
you, do I, Mr. Broadway?" 

He says, "Well, if I owe you anything more, 
I've got the money." So Miss Alia was puz- 
zled badly to know what to do. Mr. Laylockwas 
[247] 



''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

puzzled, too, to know what to do, he thoughf 
he had found the one thing needful and his 
aim was to settle this thing for life, but on the 
other hand, he had a chance for twenty-five 
thousand dollars, which was no small sum for a 
man who had made his living by work, not 
knowing that the woman he loved was worth 
two hundred thousand dollars, but he concluded 
to go and see Miss Alia one time more. He 
called on her again in a few days. Mr. Broad- 
way watched his opportunity to see the gentle- 
man when he went to leave and accosted him 
in the yard as he was leaving. He says to him, 
"Young man, do you know that I don't want 
you here nor any other young man bothering 
around my premises? Now, don't you put 
yourself around here any more." Thank you, 
Mr. Broadway, I am much obliged to you for 
your kindness. Then Mr. Laylock proceeded 
on his way undisturbed, thinking to himself, 
you old jealous devil. Mr. La3dock then pro- 
ceeded to make up his mind what to do, and he 
says, *T shall write at once to Mr. Bradshaw at 
Knoxville, and get the twenty-five thousand 
dollars he has promised me." So he wrote to 
Mr. Bradshaw to come and see the woman he 
had been so long looking for. Mr. Bradshaw 
came and was told her address and proceeded 
at once to call upon her. He found Miss Alia, 
and was invited to her room. She knew him 
on sight, but was very much surprised to see 
him at that time. Mr Bradshaw told her of 
[248] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

his misfortune in losing his wife, and told her 
that he had come for the express purpose of 
seeing her, that he had spent a large sum of 
money in hunting her up and asked her if she 
would listen to his appeal. He says, "I can't 
do without you now, will you return with me 
to Knoxville?" She says, *'I cannot for the 
present answer you, will you be so kind as to 
give me a little time to study over the matter?" 
So Mr. Bradshaw was compelled to wait a 
short time on her, then Mr. Bradshaw went 
back and saw Mr. Laylock and gave him a 
check for the twenty-five thousand dollars. 
Then Mr. Laylock dismissed himself from hav- 
ing anything more to do with the affair, twen- 
ty-five thousand dollars being satisfactory to 
him. In a few days Mr. Bradshaw returned to 
see Miss Alia to get her decision on going back 
to Knoxville with him. When he approached 
the house Mr. Broadway met him at the door 
and says, "Who are you anyway, and what is 
your business here?" Mr. Bradshaw replied 
that he was there on business and that he lived 
in Knoxville, Tennessee, and his name was 
Bradshaw, then Mr. Broadway says, "Brad- 
shaw h 1, and my name is Broadway and it 

takes a broadway for me, then he drew his 
pistol from his hip pocket and told him to 
light, and he lighted. Then Mr. Broadway 
went into Miss Alla's room and he says, "I am 

as mad as h 1 and wild, only one thing on 

this earth can tame me and that is yourself, 
[249] 



"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

you alone." Then he took hold of her and told 
her he loved her his best and says, '*You are 
forever mine," then he retired and left her 
alone. She says, '1 must, I will make some 
kind of a decision, I must do it now, I can't 
put it off longer." She says to herself, "am I 
bought, Oh, am I bought. Oh to think I have 
sold myself, I did not think I would bring so 
much money, when I left my home my inten- 
tions were good, I intended to work, work, 
work, and live right, work for my living; now, 
here I am a rich woman with two hundred 
thousand dollars, when at my father's home I 
was so poor, but so happy. But I have sold 
myself. Poor fool that I am. But I reckon 
any one under the same circumstances would 
do the same thing. So I will just make up my 
mind to stay with the old gentleman till I die, 
as I am now sold anyway, I will call on him for 
two hundred thousand dollars more, he is broad 
enough to give it. Then she sat down and 
drew a check for twenty-five thousand dollars, 
put it in a letter and directed it to her parents, 
signing her name Alia Goodman, your long-lost 
daughter, and told them when they needed 
money to call on her. When Mr. Broadway 
came into the room a few days after this, he 
sat down by her side. He took hold of her 
hand and he says to her, "Miss Alia, I am now 
going to live or die, if you accept me, I live, if 
not, I die." She says, "Mr. Broadway, if you 
,will give me two hundred thousand dollars 
.[250] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

more I will give myself to you, and you can 
have just as broad way with me as you want 
to make it, now, is this satisfactory with you?" 
He says, *'I can show you better than I can 
tell you," and he did. He drew the check. On 
the one hand, Mr. Broadway's love passion was 
stronger than money; on the other hand. Miss 
Alla's love for money was too strong and she 
lost her balance, as thousands of them do to- 
day, from ten dollars to one million, being the 
extreme prices. 

How can it be helped? 

Of such is the kingdom of heaven, little child. 
But the devil with his power has beguiled 
Away from her home and with good intent. 
Poor thing she knew not what it meant. 

Returning home stripjped of virtue's cloak, 
On her the world has played its joke. 

THE END. 



A MAN OF THE WORLD. 

Way back, many years ago, a man came out 
of the ground. He had never seen the sun 
rise, but the sun was just ready to come up 
over the hill-tops. He stood still and watched 

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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

it with great delight. He said it was the 
largest lamp he ever saw, he watched it until 
the afternoon, then he said it was going down 
in a hole in the ground. He said it was just 
over the top of the hills yonder, and I am go- 
ing to follow him and see where he goes, but 
he could not keep in sight of him. He trav- 
eled on till dark, then he looked up and saw 
the evening star, Venus, then he says, ''Here 
goes the sun's little boy after him." A while 
after, other stars appeared, then he says, "Oh, 
what a large family he has." He looked and 
wondered for he had never seen anything in all 
his life like it. So he traveled on and won- 
dered till mid-night. Then the moon arose up 
over the mountain top, then he says, "Here 
comes the old lady, she is trying to overtake 
the sun." 

So he traveled on till daylight, then the sun 
come up again behind him and he turns around 
to watch him rise again. Then he wondered 
more than ever, because he said he could not 
see how the sun could slip around him so easy. 
He says, "He went down at one place and 
come up at another place." But, he says, "I 
will go on the same way I am going and I will 
come to where he goes down after awhile." So 
he traveled twelve years in this one direction. 
As he was traveling, one day he saw^ a man 
hitching up a team to take his wife and chil- 
dren a pleasure ride. He asked the man if 
he would let him ride with him. Oh, yesg says 
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OF PROSE AND VERSE 

the good man. So he thought the ride so nice. 
Then he asked the man if he would let him live 
with him awhile, and the man said he would. 
So he lived with this good man a few years 
and in that time he saw many happy hours and 
days. The man had boys and dogs and guns 
and they were all merry together. Sometimes 
they would go fishing, but they never would 
bring all the fish home that they caught. 

One time he got sick and the good man told 
him that he would have to take a dose of 
vermifuge, that it was worms that was the 
matter with him. He says, *T cannot take it." 
Then the man says, the worms will eat you up 
unless you take the medicine. So he says, 
''They may just eat me then, for they will get 
me in the end any way;" but the time had 
come for him to continue his journey, so he 
told the good man he had started to go and see 
where the sun goes down. The good man 
laughed at him and told him he would never 
get there. "Yes," he says, *T will make it if 
it takes me a life time, I will go it." So he bid 
his good friend good bye and started upon his 
journey again. While he was traveling along 
one day, he heard a great noise in a house by 
the roadside. He listened for some time, and 
heard the clapping of hands and crying and 
hollowing with loud voices. Some said, 
"Glory" and some said "Amen," some one 
thing and some another. He says, "Well, I 
will go in and see what all this means." He 
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went in and a man in the rear of the house 
was clapping his hands and talking very loud. 
He was the preacher and had to talk loud if 
any one heard him. Some were lying on the 
seats or benches and in all kinds of shapes. 
He says, ''What does all this mean?" They 
told him it was a revival meeting, so he said it 
did not suit him and he went on his way. 

In a few days, he stopped again at another 
meeting. He got acquainted with a man there 
that had come up out of the ground as he had. 
And they become chums. Then one night the 
preacher said to arrange the seats, that he 
wanted to see if there was any one there who 
wanted to seek the Lord. That night when he 
was done preaching he stepped down out of 
the stand and says, "My dear friends, do any 
of you wish to become religious?" If you do, 
please come up here to this bench and kneel 
down, and I will pray for you and aid you all I 
can. (Sing something brethren) and we will 
see if any one will come." Then the brethren 
sang, ''Come ye sinners, poor and needy," two 
got up and walked quietly down the aisle and 
knelt at the bench. Then the preacher says, 
"Let us pray, brethren, for these who have 
come forward" (Bro. Jones, please lead the 
prayer). Bro. Jones prayed, saying among 
other things, that the Lord, who was able to 
do all things, and that was not only able but 
willing to forgive sins, would come and speak 
peace to these poor penitents who had come 
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OF PROSE AND VERSE 

forward for that very purpose, that they had 
said by their actions that they wanted to live 
a different life and if they were sincere in their 
coming that there was no doubt as to their be- 
ing blessed at this very time. As Bro. Jones 
closed his prayer, they all arose and sung a 
good old familiar hymn, "Oh, for a closer walk 
with God." At the close of the hymn the 
preacher arose and said to the penitents, at the 
same time walking up to them, "Brethren, I 
would like to know how you feel?" The peni- 
tents arose to their feet and said, "We come up 
here because we wanted to turn our backs 
upon the world and turn our faces toward Zion 
and we feel encouraged very much because the 
brethren have prayed so earnestly for us, and 
we will not stop now until we reach the 
Celestial City, and we want to join your church 
now." Then the preacher says, "Brethren, you 
hear what these two penitents say, what will 
you do with them?" They said to take them 
in the church by all means for they want to en- 
list in a good cause and they shall. So he 
and his chum were taken into the church. The 
next night mourners were called for again. A 
few came forward and the meeting progressed 
for several days with fifteen or twenty conver- 
sions, but there was no crying and shouting as 
at the former meeting. So the two chums had 
to part, as this one who had been traveling 
wanted to continue his journey. They said 
they felt very much better, the meeting had 

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*'ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

done them a heap of good, and that they would 
continue to improve in the good way. They 
said that they hoped to meet one another again 
in time, if not, they hoped to meet when time 
was over. Then they bid each other good bye 
and parted, one for his home, the other on his 
journey. As he went, he says, **Now, I can 
travel better on my journey." And parted with 
many friends whom he had made there. 

He traveled many days and was thinking 
about his religion and how much better he was 
than before. One day, late in the evening, as he 
was passing a nice place, he heard music in 
the house. He thought he would go in and see 
how it was made. He went in and they 
treated him very kindly and asked him to sit 
down. He took a seat and inquired what sort 
of a meeting they had. They told him it was 
a social meeting of the young folks of the 
neighborhood, that they had met to enjoy 
themselves a little, and that there was no harm 
in the enjoyment, that there were some nice 
young ladies here, the very best of the neigh- 
borhood or of the whole country around for 
that matter, and that if he wished to take a 
part in the social he would be welcome and 
would have no trouble in selecting a nice 
young lady for his partner. He said he would 
see about the matter and let them know in a 
few minutes. Then he thought, I have been 
traveling now for ten or twelve years and I 
never enjoyed myself much and this music is 

[256] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

so nice and these people, too, so nice and 
clever, and the very best people that the coun- 
try affords are here. I don't see any harm in 
me taking a part with these good people and 
enjoying myself a little. Let's see, now, what 
church is it I belong to, the Presbyterians, yes, 
that's it. Mr. Will Johnson, I want to speak 
to you a minute, please. All right. Why, I 
have a notion to go into this thing a little 
while, tell me, are there any church members 
here? 

Why, yes, they all belong to the church, I 
reckon, unless it's one or two. What church, 
Mr. Johnson, do the most of them belong to? 
The Presbyterians, I think. Well, I'll try it a 
little anyway. Yes, come right in, I will show 
you one of the prettiest girls you ever saw, and 
you can go right out on the floor with her. 
Now, there she goes, you can go out with her 
the next time. Her name is Caroline Webster. 
She is a daisy. I'll introduce her to you di- 
rectly. In a few minutes they changed part- 
ners and our chum went out with Miss Web- 
ster. The violin was making the very sweetest 
music and the dance was so grand. Then he 
saw another young lady and he asked her if 
she would be kind enough to dance a set with 
him. She says, "Yes, thank you, sir." And off 
they went in the whirl. He was a little green 
in dancing but he acknowledged his greenness 
and told them he would be all right by and by. 
[They continued the social till morning light. 
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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

He enjoyed himself immensely. He was also 
invited to go home with some of the social peo- 
ple, but he told them he had to go on as he 
was traveling. So he traveled on. Next day, 
thinking of his night's enjoyment, he says, "I 
feel a little ashamed of myself. I have got re- 
ligion and that dancing might not suit my re- 
ligion, it don't seem to me like they go well to- 
gether." 

But there is that Miss Willis I danced with. 
She told me she belonged to the Presbyterian 
church, that's the same church I belong to. 
Well, I've heard it said that the Presbyterian 
religion was the best religion of any to dance 
on. Now, there was Miss Alice Johnson, she 
belonged to the Methodist church, well, if I 
have done wrong they have, too." So he goes 
on his journey and the next place he put up at 
they asked him to plaj^ a social game of cards, 
he says, "I don't know how to play." We will 
show you how, you can learn in five minutes. 
Now, you see, seven points make a game, the 
ace counts one point, the deuce counts one 
point, and the Jack counts a point, and whoso- 
ever gets the game counts a point and see, we 
will show you as you play along. Run him off 
a hand, Jim. "All right, I'll try it, dogged if I 
don't." He proved to be an apt scholar and 
soon learned the game. Next day traveling 
along, he was thinking of his, card playing, he 
says, "It is no harm that I can see, if we had 
made a bet there when Jim wanted us to, there 

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OF PROSE AND VERSE 

might have been harm in it, but we didn't." I 
won't bet at all on nothing. So he went on his 
way rejoicing, coming to a town and passing 
down a street, his attention was attracted by a 
picture, a very nice picture of a lady, partly 
nude (too much so). He looked, and looked a 
good while, then he went in the door and be- 
hind the screen. Many other pictures were 
hanging on the wall. Then he says, "I believe 
this is a saloon," and so it was. There were 
several people in there drinking at the bar, and 
some one invited him to come up. 

When he first went up he thought they were 
all strangers. Directly I heard him say, "Hello, 
colonel, I haven't seen you for a long time, 
how's your health now, colonel ? How is your 
folks? Howdy, here's Will Johnson, how's 
your folks, Will? Howdy, Capt., how are 
you? My, there is a lot of you here, I am glad 
I stopped, got to see you all. Will you all have 
a drink? Howdy, George, by George, I like to 
have overlooked you." Thank you, we will, as 
we are all in here together, don't know when 
we will meet again. Mr. Clerk, set us up four 
glasses Old Corn please, yes, and one for me 
makes five, I like to have forgot myself, here 
is your money. Then he goes on thinking to 
himself, well, I didn't expect to find so many 
of my old friends in there. But that's a nice 
saloon. Everything is nice in there, and the 
foremost people go in there and take drinks, 
which I don't reckon is much harm. If a man 
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would only take one drink like I did and then 
come on out, 'twould be all right. Well, there 
is a heap of things in the world to take a man's 
money. If a man had plenty of money, how 
much better he could enjoy himself. I do love 
to be social and I think it is right to be so in 
this world, I don't want to be a selfish dog. 
He was now coming in the vicinity of New 
York City and here he found the largest gath- 
ering of people he had seen. He inquired what 
so large a crowd of people had gathered for. 
They told him that Fitzsimmons and Jeffries 
was to fight there to-day. He says, fight? 
Yes. What are they going to fight about? 
Oh, nothing, you see they are pugilists, they 
fight for money and to see who is the cham- 
pion. 

He says, "I'll travel on." I was not certain 
about these saloons and socials, etc., being 
wrong and wicked, but I know this is wrong 
and wicked, too. This is the meanest thing 
I've come to yet, 'tis perfect brutality, brute 
fighting brute, I'll go." 

The next place he came to was where they 
were horse racing. I'll stop and see what they 
are doing here. After he saw one race he went 
on again, saying, "I don't fancy this sort 
either." The next place was a football team. 
He watched them play a game and then goes 
on saying, it is too much like the pugilist and 
too much brutality in it for my religion. So 
he passed on, reaching the bull ring next. He 
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OF PROSE AND VERSE 

saw the fight, as it was going on when he come 
but said he never wanted to see another one. 
Said the crowd opened their eyes and mouth 
both, that it was a shocking sight with blood 
running, and that no one but a brute in human 
form would wish to see it and said that Bob 
Fitzsimmons and that other pugilist ought to 
have been in with the bulls. Then he goes on 
again. Traveling several days, he came into a 
settlement of good farmers. He had now trav- 
eled twenty-five or thirty years, so he thought 
he would rest a while on his journey. While 
he was resting and enjoying himself, he got ac- 
quainted with the people and also a nice young 
lady and took a great liking to the people and 
the country. So it turned out that he fancied 
this lady very much. His fancy grew into love 
and in a short time they were married. 

His father-in-law owned some land and our 
newly-married man and traveler settled down 
to farming. He made a good, industrious 
farmer and was a good citizen in the commun- 
ity. In time there were four children born 
unto them, two boys and two girls. They all 
lived and grew up to manhood and woman- 
hood. 

But alas, the eldest of the girls took pneu- 
monia and died. The oldest son was accident- 
ally shot by his uncle. The other son married 
and lived eighteen months after his marriage 
and died without heirs. The youngest girl 
was of a consumptive nature and was never 

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"ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

stout and she by degrees finally died. In a 
few years his wife took sick and lingered a 
long time, but at last she went down to the 
grave too. He was then away up in the sixties. 
Broken down in health, his property, after pay- 
ing the doctor's bills and funeral expenses, etc., 
was about all gone. Now, in old age and no 
one to look after, he says, "I will travel again" 
and he started upon his journey. But his trav- 
eling, now, was much more wearisome than it 
had ever been before, and also more sad. 
Many times he would say, ''I would love to 
stop and rest a while, but there is no rest for 
the weary in this world, none until I reach my 
journey's end, I hope I will find rest then." 

When man is born, life once begun. 
He'll prepare for hell or heaven one. 

Passing through a city, he stopped on the 
street and looked all around him, then he says, 
*'I have no home now. I have no health, I am 
out in the world all alone, without money and 
without price. With my eyes I behold enor- 
mous wealth. Oh, the pretty yards, the pretty 
buildings, and the pretty children prattling 
in their play, but none of these things are 
mine now. Then he went on to the next block 
and saw a large crowd of young people gath- 
ered up in the middle of the street. In the 
group was a man with a violin, he was passing 

[262] 



OF PROSE AND VERSE 

the hat around for a few nickles so he could 
play a tune or two for the boys. The hat came 
to him but he had no nickle to put in it. Then 
one of the boys remarked that it did not make 
any difference, he was so old he could not hear 
anyway. So the fiddler played his tunes and 
when he was done he asked the old man if he 
wished him to play him a tune. The old 
man said he would be very much pleased for 
him to do so, but he says, I have no nickle. 
The fiddler says, ''make a selection and I will 
play it for you." So the old man's mind ran 
back to the happy time when he danced at the 
social and he selected one of the songs of that 
night, the title of which is Sourwood Moun- 
tain, and the fiddler played it for the old man 
and while he was playing the old man's mind 
ran back to the happy days in his youth and 
the tears flowed freely down his cheeks and 
dropped on the ground, his thought. Oh, how 
happy was life then, how sad now. So he 
turned his face and started on his journey, 
thinking, if I could only be a child once more, 
how different would I live, but I can't, one 
thing I would do if I did nothing else, I would 
be good to the poor. Then he went upon the 
Public Square and saw an old man with hair 
as white as snow riding a Flying-jinnie. 

He was very hilarious. He stood and 
watched this old man ride around and around, 
then he says. Old man you will not get any- 
where riding that thing when night comes, yet, 
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''ALL KINDS" OF GEMS 

you will be one more day on your journey to- 
wards your eternal home. But he was so weary 
standing that he passed on and says, if I live 
much longer, I don't see how, no place to rest 
my weary feet, my needs to the world I cannot 
make known, but I must go to the end now. 
Oh, when will it come. I am so anxious now 
for it to come, but there is no standstill place. 
He says, I have traveled a long time to get 
where the sun goes down, I don't think it is 
much further. He goes a few paces and sits 
down. A man says, ''What are you doing 
here?" I cannot get any farther, I am done, 
the sun I have been following will set to-day 
for the last time with me, I can't quite make 
it, it is right over there. The man says you 
will soon be right back where you started 
from, you must go back to that hole in the 
ground. Well, how can I get there? We will 
take you there in a hearse. Yes, but I want to 
see the place before you take me there in a 
hearse. You can't see it, old man. Oh, I can't 
stand it to go back in that hole. I didn't know 
anything until I come into the world. Will I 
have to go back there where I will know noth- 
ing again? I don't believe I can stand it, if 
there was any other way, I would not do it. If 
I could have lived a little longer I would have 
been better satisfied. 

When a man's time comes to die, he must go 
satisfied or not. I see that now. This looks 
so strange to me, and the old man eased over 
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OF PROSE AND VERSE 

and all was over with him. But there will be a 
time when he will come forth again out of the 
ground the second time, and his sun will never 
set or it will forever stay set. Think of it. 
Which shall it be? 



THE END. 



[265] 



DEC IS 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



cm 24 1910 



